Authors
Abstract
This article aims to conduct a comparative cross-cultural study of the
educational status of women in terms of different aspects of human and gender development, and its relationship with the health, economic, and political indices. The research covers countries with different degrees of development in educational indices. The study makes use of quantitative methodological approach, and secondary data analysis (SDA) to draw on the cross-national data of the World Bank and the Human Development Reports. Data analysis, that examines relationship between variables, includes bi-variate and multivariate data analysis methods of Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. This study also enjoys an integrated theoretical approach, bringing together the theory of women empowerment in development, and the theories of liberal feminists. The findings indicate that women’s education not only plays a central role in human development, but also improves gender development especially in the educational and health-related aspects. Despite narrowing down the gender gap between men and women, women’s status has not significantly changed in terms of economic and political participation across different countries or more generally at the international level during 1996-2006 period. Moreover, in all the cases studied, women’s educational indices show higher correlations with health-related indices. The results also demonstrate a considerable improvement in the equal status of men and women in health-related indices and life quality in all the continents, except Africa. However, advancement in educational indices does not necessarily lead to economic and political participation of women. Moreover, weaker correlation between economic and political indices, particularly in less developed countries, is observed.
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