Improving working conditions for women in African industrial parks
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2024-12-01Metadata
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Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI Brief no. 2004:2) 4 p.Sammendrag
Gender Inequality In Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in other poor regions, fewer women than men are engaged in industrial jobs.1 This implies a potential for more female jobs as women traditionally take on jobs in labour intensive industries. Manufacturing employment tripled between 2000 and 2018 in 18 countries covering 64% of the Sub-Saharan African population, albeit from a low starting point.2 This led to an increase in the share of employment in manufacturing from 7.2% to 8.4%. Yet there is a concern that manufacturing is becoming more capital intensive and will thus contribute less to creation of jobs. Still, they argue that the garment sector has potential for employment growth. Industrial Development A popular policy to generate employment has been industrial parks, with large amounts of foreign aid invested to stimulate industry development and attract foreign manufacturing companies. The World Bank, provided US$425 million for the development of two of the newest parks in Ethiopia, and across Africa, 37 out of 54 countries have industrial parks.3 Several industrial parks are focussed on textile and garment industries, where the majority of workers are often female. In Ethiopia, 9 out of 10 operational parks produce textiles, garment and shoes. A survey of industrial parks in 30 African countries found that more than a third of factories’ workforces were women4 – a larger share of women workers as compared to the national average even in countries with very low female labour participation. However poor working conditions and labour restrictions are pushing many women away from working in these parks. Key Findings • The income from factory work for women contributes to poverty reduction • Female factory jobs in industrial parks in Ethiopia do not empower women when it comes to political efficacy and participation • Female factory jobs have no effect on women’s ability to resist intimate partner violence • The harsh working conditions