Women and Stock Market Participation

Abstract

Women constitute half of the world’s population. The participation of women in the economy is important in order to enhance and contribute towards raising the economic potential of a country. Long-standing inequalities have prevented women from participating in and benefiting from stock markets. They face discriminatory practices which prevent them from seeking entry into certain occupations, especially male-dominated ones. In the present study, the diverse literature available worldwide on the stock market participation of women has been explored and analyzed in terms of their objectives, research methodology, sample, respondents and the impediments faced by women while investing in the stock market. The article demonstrates that there are several impediments that prevent women from investing in the stock market and suggests that besides financial literacy programmes, changes in attitude and behaviour of the society as well as women are needed in order to improve their participation in the stock market.