Comment on “Level the Playing Field to Bolster the Boardroom: Sports as a Springboard for Women's Labor Force Advancement in Asia”

• Date: 01 January 2016
• Published date: 01 January 2016
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/aepr.12125
• Author: Siow Yue Chia

Comment on “Level the Playing Field to

Bolster the Boardroom: Sports as a

Springboard for Women’s Labor Force

Advancement in Asia”

Siow Yue CHIA†

Singapore Institute of International Affairs

JEL codes: J00, J16, I24, M14

Kotschwar and Stahler’s (2015) paper can be divided into two parts. The first part com-

pares the global position of Asian women in education, labor force, and corporate lead-

ership bodies. The second part advocates promoting Asian women in sports and presents

research on the long-term economic benefits that participation in sports can provide

women internationally, including labor force participation and enhanced returns to edu-

cation and labor outcomes. Kotschwar and Stahler then propose sports program-related

policies for Asian countries so as to better integrate Asian women into education,society,

labor, and corporate boardrooms.

Gender equity is part of the growing academic and policy interest on inclusive

growth that includes education and employment opportunities. Gender equity can be

measured by economic-social indicators of access to resources and outcomes – in family

and societal status, in education and health, and in employment opportunities and cor-

porate and government leadership. Kotschwar and Stahler’s unique contribution is the

advocacy of sports participation to achieve gender equity.

What is the evidence on Asian female participation in education, employment,

and leadership roles? Indicators show that Asian females still lag males with variations

according to subregion and indicators.The gender gap in years of schoolinghas narrowed

considerably,but not gender gap on tertiar y education specialization in sciences and engi-

neering. Further,Asian female par ticipation lags in occupations suchas leg islators,senior

officials, and managers and corporate leadership.Explanations across economies and soci-

eties include stage of economic development, female educational opportunities, and

social-cultural norms affecting education and labor participation and opportunities up

the corporate ladder. A fundamental factor is women’s conflicting dual role in the work-

place and home and motherhood (particularly in urban settings). This dual role is deter-

ring, depending on: social-cultural norms and policies affecting the type of jobs suitable

for females, re-entry into the labor force of married women after completing their child-

care responsibilities, availability of alternative childcare and homecare arrangements, and

impact of pro-family public policies and services. In promoting female higher education

and labor force participation, policy-makers in countries experiencing severe fertility

†Correspondence: Siow Yue Chia, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, 60A Orchard Road,

#04-03 Tower 1, The Atrium@Orchard International Involvement Hub, 238890 Singapore.Email:

chiasy@singnet.com.sg

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doi: 10.1111/aepr.12125 Asian Economic Policy Review (2016) 11, 135–136

© 2016 Japan Center for Economic Research 135