Migration and the Autonomy of Women Left Behind

Julia Matz and Linguère Mously Mbaye ()
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Linguère Mously Mbaye: African Development Bank Group

The European Journal of Development Research, 2023, vol. 35, issue 5, No 3, 1059-1079

Abstract: Abstract This paper provides new evidence on the impact of migration of male household heads on the autonomy of their spouses. Using panel household survey data from Ethiopia, the methodology mainly relies on an instrumental variables approach that addresses the endogeneity inherent in the relationship and carefully pays attention to the role of remittances. After correcting for endogeneity, we find consistent evidence that male migration increases female self-determination and decision-making power, and (to a lesser extent) the ability to protect one’s interests. As all these variables measure autonomy, our results suggest that migration of husbands offers an opportunity for women to become more autonomous in traditional societies.

Keywords: Migration; Women empowerment; Female autonomy; Left behind; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D13 J16 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:35:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1057_s41287-022-00559-5

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DOI: 10.1057/s41287-022-00559-5

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