On estimating women's contribution to national product

Abstract

In order to measure the extent of economic independence of women in the third world countries, the use of indicators like Female Workforce Participation Rate (FWPR) or the relative contributions of males and females based on traditional methods of wage differentials is not very satisfactory. Some of the conceptual and practical difficulties associated with FWPR can be overcome only when it is used along with a measure of the productivity of female workers. Since the use of the Richardian wage differentials method in this particular case involves highly objectionable premises, the present paper attempts to estimate the contribution of women workers to the national product on the basis of alternative frameworks. Two different models for the purpose have been presented in the paper. An illustrative application of these models on the basis of cross-sectional (regional) date on the Indian economy is carried out and plausible range of results regarding the share of women workers in the national product in India in the censal years 1961, 1971 and 1981 are presents. It appears that the relative share of female workers has appreciably increased during 1971 to 1981 after experiencing a sharp decline during 1961 to 1971.