WOMEN IN THE LABOUR FORCE
The urban labour market is segmented along gender lines. In general, women occupy a less favoured position, being found disproportionately in the least remunerative and/or lowest-status occupations Neo-classical economic theory attributes male- female differentials in earnings to differences in productivity due to gender-based differences in human capital (with women being less valuable because of a lack of physical strength, limited edu- cation and training, and family responsibilities that may give rise to greater absenteeism and labour turnover). These factors, however, explain only part of the wage gap. Feminist t have emphasised the importance of socio-cultural factors in restricting women's and progression in the labour access to market. These include the favouring of male children over female offspring i human-resource development (Box 24.4). The classification of cer- tain types of employment as women's work and the lower pay and security associated with such activities the gender segregation of the urban labour market.