countryspecific variables are also included however so that individual effects can be detected this effect remains and grows stronger over the medium term since the lagged feminization variable for one period has an effect equivalent to on the growth rate this is considered to be a robust result given the stability of both the coefficient and the standard error in all three specifications this provides a partial confirmation of the hypothesis that in the presence of a preexisting gap in labour force participation womens entry into the workforce can help fuel growth or a recovery if an economy is in a recession or when its existing capacity is being underutilized