Women's Role in Economic Development in Predominantly Muslim Countries

Abstract

We discuss the role of women in the development of predominantly Muslim countries, with reference to economics from several perspectives: First, we study the interrelations between certain characteristics of a society and its level of development. There, we proffer the education of girls as the strongest support for development. Secondly, we elaborate on the opportunities/choices women gain with education in the future. Thirdly, we explore the externalities of education to all members of a society by presenting empirical evidence connecting the economic status of an individual to his/her parents’ education. This establishes the link between the theory and observation to represent the benefit of women’s education on social welfare. Finally, we dispel an economic fallacy which underrates the unmeasured household production. Since women are main generators of such activity; their economic contribution goes largely unreported.