Women's occupational segregation

Date and country of first publication

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Definition

Women's occupational segregation refers to the phenomenon in which women are disproportionately represented in certain occupations and industries compared to men. This segregation is often based on societal norms, gender stereotypes, and discrimination.

Historically, women have been concentrated in lower-paying and less prestigious professions, such as nursing, teaching, and administrative roles. These occupations are often associated with traditionally feminine traits and have been undervalued compared to traditionally male-dominated fields, such as engineering, finance, and technology.

The gender wage gap is closely tied to this occupational segregation, as jobs predominantly held by women tend to pay lower salaries. This perpetuates economic inequalities between genders, as well as reinforces the perception that certain professions are more suitable for men and others for women.

Despite advancements in gender equality, occupational segregation persists, albeit to varying degrees across different countries and industries. This can be attributed to a range of factors, including discriminatory hiring practices, limited access to education and training opportunities for women, lack of representation in leadership positions, and social pressures to conform to gender norms.

Efforts to address women's occupational segregation include promoting equal access to education and training, implementing policies to support work-life balance, encouraging more gender-balanced representation in leadership roles, challenging gender stereotypes, and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. These measures aim to create more opportunities for women to enter and advance in traditionally male-dominated industries and to challenge the notion that some professions are more suitable for one gender over another.

Notes

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