This work investigates the systemic cultural and economic mechanisms that perpetuate gender-based disadvantage for women within the global paid workforce. Edited by Nanneke Redclift and M. Thea Sinclair, the text synthesizes cross-cultural research to analyze how labor markets function across both industrialized and developing nations. By comparing diverse geographic contexts, the authors argue that despite varying levels of economic development, women face remarkably consistent structural barriers to equality.

Scholars and students of labor economics frequently cite this text for its broad comparative scope and its focus on structural inequality. The prose is academic in nature, providing a foundational look at the global challenges facing women in the workforce.