WIDER Seminar Series - Carlos Gradín on occupational gender segregation in South Africa

UNU-WIDER Research Fellow Carlos Gradín will kick off the spring 2018 session of the WIDER Seminar Series on 7 March 2018.

Abstract – Occupational gender segregation in post-apartheid South Africa | Slides

In this paper, we show that occupations in South Africa are not only segregated and stratified by race, but also by gender. While some women (mostly black) overwhelmingly fill low-paying jobs, others (mostly white and Asian) tend to fill higher-paying professional positions. We find evidence that points at a long-term reduction in gender segregation and stratification with women and men entering occupations previously dominated by the other gender, although this trend is sensitive to several data considerations. Most recent evidence, however, points at stagnation in this process. Distinct worker characteristics by gender, such as education, location, or age, cannot explain existing segregation, or women’s over-representation in low-paying jobs, compared with men, but they do help to partially explain their over-representation in higher-paying positions.

WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases recent and ongoing work on key topics in development economics. The weekly sessions held in Helsinki are open to local and visiting researchers, policy makers, and others interested in development topics. Click here to learn more.