This research expands the evidence on the economic impacts of female leadership by examining the relationship between village leadership positions held by women (political reservation) and the uptake of economic opportunities offered by a national rural workfare scheme. It finds that political reservations increased women’s demand for work, program participation, and access to financial services while reducing bribes and harassment. The results suggest that political and economic empowerment are complementary, generating synergies and positive feedback loops that sustain even after the political reservations have lapsed.
Blog » Women's Political Leadership and Economic Empowerment: Evidence from Public Works in India (2020)
Women's Political Leadership and Economic Empowerment: Evidence from Public Works in India (2020)
This research expands the evidence on the economic impacts of female leadership by examining the relationship between village leadership positions held by women (political reservation) and the uptake of economic opportunities offered by a national rural workfare scheme. It finds that political reservations increased women’s demand for work, program participation, and access to financial services while reducing bribes and harassment. The results suggest that political and economic empowerment are complementary, generating synergies and positive feedback loops that sustain even after the political reservations have lapsed.