Analyzing the Barriers to Women’s Economic Participation in Yazd Province (A Qualitative Study)

Nowadays, economic development is unattainable without the participation of women in the workforce. Nevertheless, the economic participation rate of women in Iran is not in favorable level. Based on the most recent statistics, Yazd province has the second highest female unemployment rate. Therefore, this research aimed at analyzing the barriers to women’s economic participation in Yazd Province. In this investigation, qualitative research methods were implemented. The investigation focused on selected groups in Yazd province. Sampling was conducted purposefully and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Instruments for data collection included interviews and observations. To ensure the accuracy and dependability of the data, the researcher collected information through a variety of means, including document reviews, interviews, video and photo recordings, and audio recordings. Coding was utilized in the data analysis process. The results showed that in the first step, 19 main concepts were extracted in open coding. During the second step, axial coding was performed on a set of nineteen concepts (open coding). From this set, three subcategories were identified: “the attitude towards the role of women in the business environment,” “the exploitation of women’s labor force”, “the individual, family, and cultural effects of women’s employment.” The discourse concluded with a depiction of the paradigm model, which comprised causal conditions, contextual conditions, consequences, intervening conditions, and strategies. Some suggestions, based on the findings, were recommended in order to increase women’s economic participation.