A new study from the Ifo Institute suggests a complex and potentially beneficial relationship between globalization and gender equality, particularly within developing nations. The research, utilizing the KOF Globalization Index and the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law (WBL) Index, posits that increased global interconnectedness correlates with a measurable improvement in legal protections for women.
Lead researcher Ramona Schmid stated the findings demonstrate a clear trend: “As cross-border trade and cooperation increase, legal discrimination against women tends to decrease”. The study quantifies this connection, estimating that a one-third increase in a country’s globalization index could lead to a roughly 12% improvement in legal gender equality. This effect is most pronounced in poorer countries, raising questions about whether globalization serves as a catalyst for progress or simply reflects pre-existing social reforms.
Beyond legal frameworks, the study also explores shifts in individual attitudes. Data from the World Value Survey, encompassing over 300,000 individuals across a hundred countries, reveals a higher prevalence of views supporting gender equality – specifically in areas like workforce participation, political representation and access to education – within more globalized societies.
However, the findings are not without nuance and potential for critical examination. While the correlation is evident, the study does not establish causation. Critics might argue that rising gender equality could “drive” globalization, rather than the other way around – that increased female participation in the workforce, for instance, necessitates greater global integration. Furthermore, the KOF Globalization Index, while comprehensive, doesn’t fully account for the potential downsides of globalization, such as economic exploitation or cultural homogenization, which could undermine progress on gender equality in certain contexts.
The research also sidesteps the crucial question of “how” globalization fosters legal and attitudinal shifts. While increased trade and investment might introduce new legal standards or expose societies to alternative viewpoints, the mechanisms remain largely unexplored. The study’s findings serve as a valuable starting point, but further research is needed to fully understand the intricacies of this evolving relationship and to ensure that globalization truly translates into substantive and equitable progress for women worldwide.