How context moderates public employees’ attitudes toward gender equality

Abstract

Abundant research exists about the motivations that drive public employees’ desire to perform public and social service. However, scarce research has focused on bureaucrats’ attitudes on gender issues. Considering that gender equality is a critical dimension of democratic consolidation (Ionescu), public employees are expected to be more committed to public value by exhibiting attitudes that promote gender equality. Using data from the most recent wave of the World Values Survey from 2017 to 2020 in 77 countries, the study compares the gender attitudes of public-sector workers with those of non-public sector officials. The assessed attitudes include participation of women in the labor market, politics, among other areas. Findings show public employees tend to have attitudes that favor gender equality. However, that effect is contingent on the gender inequality context in which public servants operate.