Does Women's Empowerment Foster Export Diversification? Evidence from a Sample of Developing Countries

Abstract

This study explores the role of women's empowerment in driving export product diversification in developing countries, an area that has received limited attention in the literature. Analyzing a sample of 106 developing countries from 2002 to 2018, the findings indicate that women's political empowerment and gender parity in secondary school enrollment positively influence export diversification. Conversely, gender disparities in vulnerable employment and wage inequality negatively impact diversification. These results highlight the potential of policies aligned with SDG 5—promoting gender equality and women's empowerment—to enhance trade performance in developing economies.