The Heavy Economic Toll of Gender-based Violence: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
IMF Working Papers, November 19, 2021
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- The Heavy Economic Toll of Gender-based Violence: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Rasmané Ouedraogo, David Stenzel
- Published: November 19, 2021
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781557754073.001
Summary
- The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have led to a rise in gender-based violence.
- Using large demographic and health survey data collected pre-pandemic, the paper investigates economic consequences of violence against women in sub-Saharan Africa.
- An instrumental-variable approach (two-stage least square method) is used to address endogeneity.
Key findings
- An increase in the share of women subject to violence by 1 percentage point can reduce economic activities (as proxied by nightlights) by up to 8 percent.
- The estimated economic cost occurs through a significant drop in female employment.
- Violence against women is more detrimental to economic development in:
- countries without protective laws against domestic violence,
- natural resource rich countries,
- countries where women are deprived of decision-making power,
- and during economic downturns.
Methodology
- Data: large demographic and health survey data collected pre-pandemic.
- Estimation technique: two-stage least square method to address endogeneity.
- Economic activity proxy: nightlights.
Policy implications and recommendations
- Combatting violence against women is important from an economic standpoint in addition to the moral imperative.
- Policy priorities highlighted:
- reinforcing laws against domestic violence,
- strengthening women’s decision-making power.
IMF Working Paper by Rasmané Ouedraogo and David Stenzel, November 19, 2021.
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