Gender inequality in unpaid work and female labor force participation in Myanmar
5
Issued Date
2021
Copyright Date
2021
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
Access Rights
open access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ขอสงวนไว้สำหรับเพื่อการศึกษาเท่านั้น ต้องอ้างอิงแหล่งที่มา ห้ามดัดแปลงเนื้อหา และห้ามนำไปใช้เพื่อการค้า
Rights Holder(s)
Mahidol University
Suggested Citation
Aye, Theingi Win, 1984- (2021). Gender inequality in unpaid work and female labor force participation in Myanmar. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114206
Title
Gender inequality in unpaid work and female labor force participation in Myanmar
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Abstract
Myanmar has undertaken significant economic and social changes but the challenges related to traditional customs and ideas still remained. In Myanmar, the labor force participation rates of males and females are still disproportionate. The traditional belief that household chores and reproductive burdens should be solely carried by women still exists. This disproportionate distribution of household responsibilities affects the women’s ability to explore their lives outside the homes. Therefore, female burden on the unpaid work could lead to their lower capacity to participate in labor market. This study aimed to explore the influence of gender inequality in unpaid work on the labor market outcomes among women and to examine the unpaid work factors affect the lower female labor market outcomes using the 2019 Myanmar Inter-censal survey data. This study analyzed 194,830 women at working age 15 to 64 years old using univariate, bivariate, multivariate and linear regressions analysis. Results showed that unpaid work factors were significantly associated with the female labor force participation. Commonly in Myanmar, wife bears responsibility in child rising and housework which could reduce time to work outside home. The findings supported this norm. Four measures of unpaid-work responsibility which comprised of being married (AOR = 0.67), having children (AOR=0.76), number of household member (AOR = 0.97) and having males in the household (AOR= 0.83) were negatively related to the odds of participating in the labor market of women controlling for age, education, household wealth, and residential areas. However, some members can help bearing the household chores and make it possible for women to work outside home. The findings showed that a woman who live in the house with other women and with elders were 1.11 times and 1.14 times more likely to participate in the labor market. For the employed women who lived in the house with other women and with more members were more likely to work full-time. On the other hand, married women (AOR=1.10), those with children (AOR =1.15), women who live with elders (AOR=1.06) and those live with males (AOR=1.05) were more likely to have part-time jobs. Similarly, the women who live in a household with more members and other women used more time for work outside. However, married women, women who live in a household with the children, elders and having males in the household invested lower time for work. IMPLICATION OF THESIS: Unpaid work performs as a creation of well-being. However, disproportional burden of housework and child rearing that hinder women to perform well in the labor market could deplete female well-being. This study suggests that unpaid factors are associated with lower female labor market outcomes in Myanmar. Interventions that can effectively transform unpaid work for gender equality is required.
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Level
Master's degree
Degree Department
Institute for Population and Social Research
Degree Discipline
Population and Sexual and Reproductive Health
Degree Grantor(s)
Mahidol University