Some time back women faced numerous challenges as they were fighting for equal economic opportunities just like their male counterparts. In the modern-day, the society has realized the big role women play in contributing to GDP growth (Duflo 49). Most developing countries have begun to embrace women empowerment since they understand that women have the ability to spark economic development in various sectors. For this given paper we are going to look at a case of Kenya, which is a developing country in Africa.
The state has initiated several projects aimed at making women have economic power. The first indicator is the increase in Primary education for the female pupils. This is evident through funding toward girl child education. The government of Kenya realized that many girls were dropping out of school because of traditions that barred the girls from acquiring education. The government did intervene by illegalizing some of the taboos like female genital mutilation and early forced marriages so that girls get the chance to go past secondary education. This has led to an increase in the number of the female, who go past the high school.. For instance, the percentage of women enrolled in primary school increased from 49.2% to 49.8% between 2009 and 2012 ("Gender Statistics| World Databank"). Thus, the literacy level among the female has grown, and women have had a chance to several career opportunities and proved excellence as compared to the male. Besides, women in the labor force have increased significantly. The number of women in the labor force has between 2010 and 2014 increased from 7.2 million to 8.1 million ("Gender Statistics| World Databank").
Also, the other indicator is the percentage of women Saved to start, operate, or expand a farm or business. The government has initiated a women fund that targets to support women in business. Women have been urged to take loans with low-interest rates so as to help them compete favorably with the male by having financial power. Through this several enterprises have been developed, impacting the country’s GDP positively. Evidently, Kenya has proved to many emerging economies that investing in women education and empowerment, is the way to improve the GDP.
Work Cited
Duflo, Esther. Women's empowerment and economic development. No. w17702. National Bureau of Economic Research, (2011) 45-53. Retrieved from http://www.nber.org/papers/w17702.pdf
"Gender Statistics| World Databank". Databank.worldbank.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 11 Apr. 2016. Retrieved from http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?Code=SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.IN&id=2ddc971b&report_name=Gender_Indicators_Report&populartype=series
