Article Contents
Dasgupta, S. (2026). Assessing The Role of Women in The Economic Growth Process with Reference to SAARC Nations. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A6.
Abstract
This study critically analyzes the pivotal role of women in driving gross domestic product (GDP) growth across South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations. Despite being considered among the fastest-growing economic regions, these South Asian nations remain far from achieving gender parity. Women remain an untapped engine of economic growth. According to a 2017 report from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), a single percentage-point increase in gender equity can boost growth by 20%. By synthesizing macroeconomic data and regional trends, this paper argues that narrowing the gender gap is not only a social imperative but also necessary for high-impact economic returns. The paper concludes that, for SAARC nations to achieve sustainable growth and global competitiveness, policy frameworks should shift from passive inclusion to active structural reform, addressing the systemic constraints that prevent women from participating fully in national balance sheets.
Keywords: Female Labor Force, SAARC, Economic Growth, Gender Dividend, Economic Development
JEL Classifications: J2, O1, O4
Prof. Shrabasti Dasgupta
Economics Department
Midnapore College (Autonomous)
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