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EN
The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis
Abstract
This study examines the political economy of gender inequality in BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—between 1990 and 2018 using panel data analysis. Focusing on two key dimensions of gender inequality, namely women’s educational attainment and labor force participation, the study explores how institutional (democracy), cultural (religion), economic (GDP per capita, trade openness), and demographic (fertility) factors shape gender disparities. Employing multiple estimation techniques including Random Effects, Panel Weighted Regression (PWR), and Fixed Effects Vector Decomposition (FEVD), the analysis reveals contrasting dynamics across education and labor force outcomes.
While GDP per capita significantly improves educational attainment, it does not translate into higher female labor participation. Religious affiliations and higher fertility rates exert consistent and negative effects across both models, underscoring the role of cultural and demographic constraints. Trade openness is positively associated with women’s labor market participation in some specifications, suggesting potential benefits from global integration.
The findings highlight that economic growth and institutional development are insufficient in overcoming entrenched gender barriers without targeted social and cultural reforms. The study recommends multidimensional policy strategies that combine inclusive economic policies with social programs aimed at reducing fertility-related constraints and challenging restrictive gender norms.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Women's Studies
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
November 30, 2025
Publication Date
November 30, 2025
Submission Date
July 10, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 13, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2
APA
Çuhadar, P., & Cafrı, R. (2025). The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları Ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi, 8(2), 690-718. https://doi.org/10.33708/ktc.1739033
AMA
1.Çuhadar P, Cafrı R. The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi. 2025;8(2):690-718. doi:10.33708/ktc.1739033
Chicago
Çuhadar, Pınar, and Reyhan Cafrı. 2025. “The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis”. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları Ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi 8 (2): 690-718. https://doi.org/10.33708/ktc.1739033.
EndNote
Çuhadar P, Cafrı R (November 1, 2025) The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi 8 2 690–718.
IEEE
[1]P. Çuhadar and R. Cafrı, “The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis”, Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 690–718, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.33708/ktc.1739033.
ISNAD
Çuhadar, Pınar - Cafrı, Reyhan. “The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis”. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi 8/2 (November 1, 2025): 690-718. https://doi.org/10.33708/ktc.1739033.
JAMA
1.Çuhadar P, Cafrı R. The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi. 2025;8:690–718.
MLA
Çuhadar, Pınar, and Reyhan Cafrı. “The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis”. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları Ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 2, Nov. 2025, pp. 690-18, doi:10.33708/ktc.1739033.
Vancouver
1.Pınar Çuhadar, Reyhan Cafrı. The Political Economy of Gender Inequality in BRICS: A Panel Data Analysis. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi. 2025 Nov. 1;8(2):690-718. doi:10.33708/ktc.1739033