Title:
EXPORT DIVERSIFICATION AND FEMALE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION: THE CASE OF ECOWAS COUNTRIES

Authors:
Mariama DIOP, Cameroon

Abstract:
Objective: The study investigated the effect of export diversification on women’s labor force participation in ECOWAS countries. Material and Methods: We employed the ordinary least squares estimation technique then the fixed-effects model for a panel of 15 countries of ECOWAS with data ranging from 2000 to 2020, collected from the databases of the world development indicators and UNCTAD. Results: The study has indicated that export diversification in ECOWAS countries increase the female labor force participation rate. Conclusion: We recommended that the governments of ECOWAS countries should not only provide incentives to expand the export basket, but also support businesses that need a female workforce for more inclusive growth in their countries.