WOMEN’S ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AS A FACTOR OF SOCIAL EQUALITY
Abstract: Women’s economic independence plays a crucial role in promoting social equality, empowering marginalized groups, and dismantling patriarchal power structures. This paper analyzes the role of women’s economic independence in fostering social equality, with a particular focus on the factors shaping it, the challenges women face, and the possibilities for overcoming them. Through an empirical analysis of data from the Republic of Srpska and examples of good practice drawn from international sources, the study examines the impact of educational policies, labor market conditions, and institutional barriers on gender equality. Special attention is given to identifying mechanisms that contribute to increasing women’s economic autonomy, including support for women’s entrepreneurship, education, and changes in social norms. The paper provides a critical review of existing inequalities and proposes recommendations for improving systems that support women’s economic empowerment as a key instrument of social transformation and the strengthening of gender equality. The findings indicate that achieving full economic independence for women is essential for building a more stable and just society.
Keywords: economic independence, social equality, labor market, education, social policy
