A Critical Assessment: Can Export Processing Zones Be Transformed into Catalytic Enclaves for Women's Economic Empowerment?

5 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2016

Date Written: August 16, 2016

Abstract

This working paper assesses the novel theory posited in a recent IFC study that export processing and special economic zones can serve as vehicle for women's economic empowerment. After analyzing the theory through a labor and women's rights lens, the working paper guardedly concludes that EPZs and SEZs might serve as a vehicle for women's economic empowerment - but only if EPZ administrators and policy makers change attitudes about independent trade unions and work in partnership with workers, representative trade unions and women's rights organizations.

Keywords: Women's Economic Empowerment, Special Economic Zones, Export Processing Zones, EPZ, labor rights, women's rights, International Framework Agreements

JEL Classification: M14, K33, K31, F63, F66, F68, J71, J78

Suggested Citation

Brooks, Tequila J., A Critical Assessment: Can Export Processing Zones Be Transformed into Catalytic Enclaves for Women's Economic Empowerment? (August 16, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2824488 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2824488

Tequila J. Brooks (Contact Author)

Tilburg Law School ( email )

Tilburg, Noord Brabant
Netherlands

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
113
Abstract Views
1,177
Rank
438,854
PlumX Metrics