Occupational gender segregation in post-apartheid South Africa

Type Working Paper
Title Occupational gender segregation in post-apartheid South Africa
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
URL http://economics.handels.gu.se/digitalAssets/1643/1643688_52.-gradin-gender-segregation-in-south-afr​ica.pdf
Abstract
We study the segregation and stratification of occupations by gender in post-apartheid South
Africa. We show that occupations are not only segregated and stratified by race, but also by
gender. Women overwhelmingly fill low-paying jobs (mostly by blacks and Coloureds) but also
higher-paying professional positions (especially by whites and Asians). We find evidence that
points at a long-term reduction in gender segregation and stratification with women and men
entering occupations previously dominated by the other gender, although this trend is sensitive
to several data considerations. Distinct workers’ characteristics by gender cannot explain this
segregation, although they help to explain the overrepresentation women in high-pay positions.

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