I recently came across an interesting study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that said that countries where women have more economic and political power are richer than countries where women have less power. In other words, the more that women participate in the economy, and in the workforce, the better off the economy of the country.
The study can be found here: Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship.
The United States ranks pretty high on the list. But it is interesting that some politicians want to limit the ability of women to participate in the economy. There are even some social conservatives, who are generally aligned with the business wing of the Republican Party, who openly call for a return to a world where women stay home.
If the economy improves when more women participate, then we should support policies that help women fully participate in the economy. What kinds of programs? How about programs that support better and cheaper day care? Or programs that ensure adequate maternity leave so that qualified women can easily re-enter the workforce after having a baby. Or laws that ensure equal pay for equal work, so that women are fully compensated when they fully participate. Or laws that ensure adequate access to contraception and reproductive health care services so that women can control their bodies.
