Increasing power of women on labor market in Western Balkans

Abstract

The main goal of economic policy in Western Balkans is higher economic growth. This aim could be realized by increasing productivity of labor force. Now, the economic development of Western Balkans is a base for democratic development of the region. The rates of economic growth are positive and sustainable. The role of women increases in the process of economic development. At the same time, the gender stereotyping consists of beliefs and attitudes that create different expectations for individuals based on their gender and can lead to biases, including on the labor market. The main challenge for women is abusing of this gender bias and takes part in on equal base on labor market. The research investigates the protection of women rights on the labor market in Western Balkans. On this market processes are bilateral. From one side, the high economic growth leads to strong protection of women rights. From other side, more active participation of women in the economy supports the usage of all human recourses and increasing of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The protection of women rights on the labor market are measured with following variables: (1) the population with upper secondary education by sex – males and females, because the education is the base and more important condition for successful participation and competitiveness on the labor market; (2) the rate of unemployment by sex – males and females, annual average in percentage, because it shows successful participation on labor market; (3) gender pay gap by sex in percentage, because it shows the valuation of women activities on labor market. The education of women depends on the economic growth in the countries. By the economic growth, the labor demand is more than supply, the income increases. It enhances all, including women to improve their education. It is long impact of economic activities on the employment, which confirm the countries in the region need from stable economic development. The part of protection of women rights is evaluation of work through the wages and income. For the region of Western Balkans is not typical so big differences in income by sex.