The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) asserts that gender inequality remains a major blockade to human development. This in turn poses strong challenges for global economies in their drive towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This study analyses the impact of health-related factors on gender inequality especially among OECD countries, using the Gender Inequality Index (GII) developed by UNDP. GII measures three key components – reproductive health, labour market participation, and empowerment – to create an index primarily concentrated on gender inequality, especially highlighting women. The higher the GII value, the greater the disparities between men and women, and the greater the loss of human development.
Descriptive and panel data regression analysis are performed to examine the impact of gender inequalities in health on economic productivity using statistical and econometrics tools. The study finds an inverse relation between gender inequality and life expectancy where ‘disability’ is seen as a significant barrier to gender equality.
The study concludes by putting forward key recommendations for supporting gender equivalence as it is essential for augmenting national development and instrumental in attaining SDGs.
Presenter
- Vipul Sharma, Amity University
Co-authors
- Shivani Mehta, Amity University
- Gargi Sharma, Amity University
