The Political Empowerment of Women and Industrialization in Africa

ABSTRACT This study examines the effect of political empowerment of women on industrialization in Africa. The results, after controlling for cross‐sectional dependence, show that women's political implication causes industrialization. The fixed effects Driscoll/Kraay standard error and the GMM estimators reveal that women's political empowerment negatively affects industrialization. These negative effects are nullified by high economic freedom and high female economic participation. The study recommends policy makers to improve economic freedom as well as female economic inclusion. These measures are essential because critical levels of economic freedom and female economic participation that should be considered are provided. These critical levels are disclosed in terms of policy thresholds as well as thresholds for complementary policies. Other policy implications are discussed. Related Articles Nchofoung, Tii, Simplice Asongu, Vanessa Tchamyou, and Ofeh Edoh. 2022. “Gender, Political Inclusion, and Democracy in Africa: Some Empirical Evidence.” Politics and Policy 51(1): 137–155. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12505 . Bingham, Natasha. 2016. “Fighting for Our Cause: The Impact of Women's NGOs on Gender Policy Adoption in Four Former Soviet Republics.” Politics and Policy 44(2): 294–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12155 . Hankivsky, Olena. 2013. “Gender Mainstreaming: A Five‐Country Examination.” Politics and Policy 41(5): 629–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12037 .