Governance, Capability, and Wellness Effects on Gender Inequality: A Cross‐National Analysis

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of 12 empowerment factors on gender inequality in a cross‐national sample of 123 countries using regression and multilevel analyses comprising both macro‐level (main) and micro‐level (disaggregated) approaches. These factors were categorized into three analytical models: governance, capability, and wellness. To assess socio‐cultural effects, regional (Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia) and religious (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions) divisions were included in the disaggregated analyses. The results showed that 11 of the 12 factors were significantly associated with gender inequality, with all six governance‐related factors strongly associated with greater gender equality in the main analyses. In the disaggregated analyses, the effects of capability‐ and wellness‐related factors varied across regions and religions. Notably, all governance‐related factors consistently had significant positive effects on gender equality in both the main and disaggregated analyses, supporting new institutionalism and the intersectional perspective.