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A Path to Inclusive Development: Unpacking Gender Inequalities in Economic Theory and Policies

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A workshop organized by the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College with the generous support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

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The workshop is organized in loving memory of Professor Nilüfer Çağatay (1955-2022). Professor Çağatay was a distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Utah and a Research Associate with the Levy Economics Institute. She was a pioneer in gender-aware macroeconomics and co-founded GEM-IWG, an international network dedicated to knowledge sharing and capacity building among feminist macroeconomists. Inspired by her outstanding contributions to the field of gender and economics, we dedicate this gender workshop to her.

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September 11th–13th, 2024
Blithewood, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY



The goal of this workshop is to explore ways to advance the integration of gender into economic analyses in order to promote inclusive development and policymaking. This workshop will provide a forum for scholars, academics, and policymakers to debate, discuss, and integrate the role of gender inequality in evaluating labor market dynamics, macroeconomic outcomes, and economic policies, with an overarching objective of discussing the methodological pluralism of feminist economics. There are multiple dimensions of gender inequality that intersect with other forms of inequality—such as social class, ethnicity, race, and nationality—to affect economic processes, outcomes, and policies. We are seeking contributions with strong theoretical, modeling, and/or empirical components to address these interconnections and we welcome research that applies a feminist lens to a broad range of topics in micro- and macroeconomics, cutting across local and global geographies. We invite research papers engaging but not limited to the following topics:

• Care work, social reproduction, and macroeconomics
• Investigation into aspects of gender inequalities and time allocation: integrating time-use analysis in assessing overall economic wellbeing
• Expansion and improvement of data for empirical, evidence-based gender analysis
• Examination of the bi-directional channels of influence between macroeconomic policies and gender inequalities
• Fiscal policy, taxation, and gender budgeting in low- and middle-income countries: challenges and the way forward
• Gendered impact of austerity measures
• Investigation into the gender-differentiated impacts of monetary policy
• Explorations into the mechanisms whereby gender inequalities influence macroeconomic outcomes, such as aggregate output and employment and their sectoral composition, inflation, budget deficits, and the current account balance
• Inquiry into climate change, environmental issues, and sustainability through a gendered lens
• Assessment of intra-household power dynamics, gender norms, and patriarchy in understanding economic outcomes including women’s unpaid work, labor market engagement, earnings, and the gender wage gap
• Development of new indicators of societal norms and perceptions (e.g., patriarchy, gender bias, etc.)

 
This workshop will bring together diverse visions of how and why gender and intersectional inequalities need to be integrated in assessing economic wellbeing and formulating development policy agendas. The workshop will facilitate deliberations on alternative theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence regarding strategies explored by feminist economists.
 
We invite theoretical contributions that utilize existing and novel economic modeling approaches, as well as empirical studies, in particular, those focusing on the dimensions of gender inequalities relevant to low- and middle-income countries. We encourage interdisciplinary research, submissions from young scholars and scholars from the global south. We are also interested in papers that provide a comprehensive picture of state of the art, identify gaps, and indicate directions for future research. The Levy Economics Institute of Bard College is organizing this event with the generous support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The organizers will cover accommodation and travel expenses.
 
For questions, please contact Aashima Sinha at [email protected].
 
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 
 

Wednesday, September 11
9:00–9:10 a.m.	Welcome
	Pavlina R. Tcherneva, President, Levy Economics Institute
9:10–9:20 a.m.	Dedication: Nilüfer Çağatay
	Rania Antonopoulos, Levy Economics Institute (remote)
9:20–10:50 a.m.​	SESSION 1: Gender and Macroeconomics: Modeling and Macro-Micro Linkages
	Chair: Marcella Corsi​, Sapienza University of Rome
	Presenters:
	Ajit Zacharias (presenter), Levy Economics Institute; Gennaro Zezza, Levy Economics Institute; and Thomas Masterson, Levy Economics Institute "Modeling alternative methods of financing investments for gender equality"
	Mark Setterfield, New School for Social Research  "Integrating the Social Reproduction of Labour into Macroeconomic Theory"
	Discussants: Mark Setterfield, New School For Social Research Valeria Esquivel, International Labour Organization
10:50–11:15 a.m	Coffee/Tea Break
11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.	SESSION 2: Income and Time Poverty: Gender- and Care-Sensitive Metrics/Assessment
	Chair: Ipek Ilkkaracan, Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
	Presenters:
	Thomas Masterson (presenter), Levy Economics Institute; Ajit Zacharias, Levy Economics Institute, Fernando Rios-Avila, Levy Economics Institute; and Aashima Sinha, Levy Economics Institute "Time and income poverty in the U.S.: Is employment the answer?"
	Aashima Sinha (presenter), Levy Economics Institute; Thomas Masterson, Levy Economics Institute; Ajit Zacharias, Levy Economics Institute; Fernando Rios-Avila, Levy Economics Institute "Can we Solve Time Poverty through Redistribution of Household Production?"
	Claudia Liceth Fajardo Hoyos (presenter), Universidad del Cauca, Colombia and Jhon James Mora Rodríguez, Universidad I CESI, Colombia "Time Poverty Feminization and Gender Discrimination in a Developing Country"
	Discussants: Claudia Liceth Fajardo Hoyos, Universidad del Cauca Oriel Sullivan, University College London (UCL) Fernando Rios-Avila, Levy Economics Institute
12:45–2:00 p.m.	Lunch
2:00–3:30 p.m.	SESSION 3: Gender (In)sensitive Data and Theory​
	Chair: Aashima Sinha, Levy Economics Institute
	Presenters:
	Indira Hirway, Centre for Development Alternatives, Ahmedabad, India "Recent Initiatives in Improving Collection of Time Use Data: Some Issues"
	Oriel Sullivan (presenter), University College London (UCL); Jonathan Gershuny, University College London (UCL) and Juana Lamote de Grignon Perez, University College London (UCL) "Time use diary design for our times: the importance of multiple continuous fields, using the            example of child care"
	Marlene Kim, University of Massachusetts Boston "Gender in Economics: The Problems, Solutions, and Missing Theory"
	Discussants: Luiza Nassif Pires, Universidade estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) Indira Hirway, Centre for Development Alternatives, Ahmedabad, India  Ipek Ilkkaracan, Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
3:30–4:00 p.m.	Coffee/Tea Break
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.	SESSION 4: Policy and Gender: Fiscal, Monetary, and Education
	Chair: Ajit Zacharias, Levy Economics Institute
	Presenters:
	Thi Minh Tam Bui, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand "Labour market responses to inflation‐targeting monetary policy in Thailand: An analysis             of formal/informal employment and sectoral heterogeneity through a gender lens"
	Ruth Badru, University of Bristol, UK “Does Fiscal Policy Shape Gender Equity? An Analysis of Infrastructure Investments”
	Gustavo Canavire-Bacarreza, World Bank and Universidad Privada Boliviana and Gunnar Poppe Yanez (presenter), Johns Hopkins University "Can Children’s Education Enhance Formal Female Labor Force Participation?"
	Discussants:  Pavlina Tcherneva, Levy Economics Institute Thi Minh Tam Bui, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand Emily Ikhide, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies
Thursday, September 12
9:00–10:30 a.m.	SESSION 5:  Policy Simulations: Input-Output and Computable General Equilibrium models
	Chair: Thomas Masterson, Levy Economics Institute
	Presenters:
	Asiya Maskaeva, The University of Dodoma (Tanzania) (remote) "Macro‐level gender‐responsive policy solutions that can promote women’s economic             empowerment in Tanzania"
	Luiza Nassif Pires, Universidade estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) “Tax Reforms for the Provision of Care in Brazil: Public Investment or Tax Incentives?”
	Oluwasola Emmanuel Omoju, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and Emily Ikhide (presenter), National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies "Economic, gender and food security implications of health‐focused fiscal policy: Evidence from             macro‐micro modeling of the ‘sugar’ tax in Nigeria"
	Discussants: Emel Memis, Ankara University Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, University of North Florida Asiya Maskaeva, The University of Dodoma (Tanzania) (remote)
10:30–11:00 a.m.	Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	SESSION 6: Gender Gaps in Wages, Productivity and Employment​
	Chair: Luiza Nassif Pires, Universidade estadual de Campinas (Unicamp)
	Presenters:
	Abou Kane (presenter), University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar and Mamaye Thiongane, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar "The Gender Wage Gap in Senegal: Ability Differences or Discrimination?"
	A. Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Trent University "Cum catenae pro caesura accipiuntur: gender gaps in agricultural productivity and social             reproduction in Malawi"
	Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, University of North Florida "Trade and women in the labor market: Why is the MENA region different and what should policymakers             do to reduce the gender gap in the labor market?"
	Discussants: Jacqueline Strenio, Norwich University Thomas Masterson, Levy Economics Institute Nthabiseng Moleko, Stellenbosch University
12:30–2:00 p.m.	Lunch
2:00–3:30 p.m.	SESSION 7: Care Policies, Child Development and Well-being
	Chair: Nthabiseng Moleko, Stellenbosch University
	Presenters:
	Myagmarsuren Boldbaatar, National University of Mongolia; Otgontugs Banzragch (presenter), National University of Mongoli; Khishigt Dandarchuluun, National University of Mongolia "Mapping Childcare in Mongolia: Children as Unpaid Caregivers"
	Ebru Kongar (presenter), Dickinson College, and Günseli Berik, University of Utah “Centrality of Care Work in Feminist Economics Scholarly Identity”
	Emel Memis (presenter), Ankara University and Ozge Izdes, Istanbul University "Elderly Care in a Non-caring Economy: How Far is a Caring Society?"
	Discussants: Abou Kane, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar Mary Borrowman, Center for Global Development Ana Maria Tribin, The World Bank
3:30–4:00 p.m.	Coffee/Tea break
4:00–5:30 p.m.	SESSION 8: Patriarchy, Social Norms, and Gender Inequality
	Chair:  Nurgul Ukueva, Bard College
	Presenters:
	Erica Aloè, Sapienza University of Rome; Marcella Corsi (presenter), Sapienza University of Rome and Giulia Zacchia, Sapienza University of Rome "Measuring Patriarchy in Italy"
	Amit Basole, Azim Premji University, Bengaluruand; MK Shravan, Azim Premji University, Bengaluruand; and Vijayamba. R. (presenter), National Law School of India  "Mobility norms and women’s employment during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from India"
	Sarah F. Small (presenter), Department of Economics, University of Utah and Bhavya Sinha, Colorado State University "When Men Fix the House: A Marxist Feminist Approach to Gendered Housework and Exchange Value"
	Discussants: A. Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Trent University Vedavati Patwardhan, University of California, San Diego Vijayamba. R, National Law School of India University
Friday, September 13
9:45 –11:15 a.m.	Policy Round Table ​
	Chair: Anuradha Seth, (former) UN Women
	Presenters:
	Panelists:  Valeria Esquivel, International Labour Organization Raquel Lagunas, United Nations Development Programme Ana Maria Tribin, The World Bank Mary Borrowman, Center for Global Development
11:15–11:45 a.m.	Coffee break
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Keynote, Jayati Ghosh, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
12:30–2:00 p.m.	Lunch
2:00–3:30 p.m.	SESSION 9: Gendered Disparities in Employment Security and Old-age Security & Intersection of Gender, work status and Political Ideology
	Chair: Emel Memis, Ankara University
	Presenters:
	Beth Almeida, Center for American Progress and Christian Weller (presenter), University of Massachusetts Boston "Promoting Economic Advancement for Older Women in the Workplace"
	Abena Odura, University of Ghana; Nthabiseng Moleko (presenter), Stellenbosch University; and Aashima Sinha, Levy Economics Institute "Gender Disparities in Employment Security and Welfare Outcomes in South Africa"
	Ipek Ilkkaracan (presenter), Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Izaskun Zuazu, University of Duisberg-Essen "How Gender Intersects with Paid and Unpaid Work Status in Political Ideology: Evidence from homemakers in Spain"
	Discussants: Giulia Zacchia, Sapienza University of Rome Ruth Badru, University of Bristol, UK Sarah F. Small, Department of Economics, University of Utah
3:30–4:00 p.m.	Coffee/Tea Break
4:00–5:30 p.m.	SESSION 10: Sustainability, Climate Change, and Gender
	Chair: Sarah F. Small, Department of Economics, University of Utah
	Presenters:
	Jheelum Sarkar, American University  "Impact of Climate Shocks on Gender Division of Unpaid and Paid Labor: A Case Study from an Indian Coastal Hotspot"
	Hossein Azadi (presenter), University of Liège, Belgium and Imaneh Goli, University of Liège, Belgium  "Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Coping Strategies: Why Does Gender Matter?"
	Sophia Huyer, Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (remote) "Is it Resilient for Women? Economic Empowerment through Climate-Resilient Agriculture"
	Discussants: Sophia Huyer, Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (remote) Jheelum Sarkar, American University Hossein Azadi, University of Liège, Belgium