Determinants of female labour force participation in Zambia: a micro data analysis.
There are many factors that influence females to enter the labour market. Women in most of the developing countries are underrepresented in the labour force. In this regard, the equity and efficiency related Sustainable Development Goals, in particular; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities; achieving gender equality and empower all women; promoting sustained economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all have become desirable goals and target for policy formulation. This research focused on the determinants of female labour force participation in Zambia, with the view that labour market participation of women will improve their relative economic positions and also increase overall economic growth of the country. The study employed the Logit Model to analyse secondary data from 2014 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey. The results suggest that an increase in age influence women to join the labour force. Women with primary, secondary and higher education are more economically active than those without. Ownership of land and having children who are under five years of age also encourage them to engage in the labour market. Conversely, increasing the number of household members and ownership of television affected female labour force participation negatively. Additionally, women who are Non-Catholics are less likely to participate in economic activities. It is concluded that, in order to improve the working condition of female labour force, government should ensure that more women have access to education and limiting the family size would influence women to be more productive. Religious beliefs should be reviewed especially in the school curriculum and women should secure rights to own land.
Labour force --Zambia, Zambia -- Female labour.
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