Empowering Women Through Education: Evidence from Sierra Leone

Colin Cannonier and Naci Mocan

Koç University-TUSIAD Economic Research Forum Working Papers from Koc University-TUSIAD Economic Research Forum

Abstract: We use data from Sierra Leone where a substantial education program provided increased access to education for primary-school age children but did not benefit children who were older. We exploit the variation in access to the program generated by date of birth and the variation in resources between various districts of the country. We find that the program has increased educational attainment and that an increase in education has changed women’s preferences. An increase in schooling, triggered by the program, had an impact on women’s attitudes towards matters that impact women’s health and on attitudes regarding violence against women. An increase in education has also reduced the number of desired children by women and increased their propensity to use modern contraception and to be tested for AIDS. While education makes women more intolerant of practices that conflict with their well-being, increased education has no impact on men’s attitudes towards women’s well-being.

Keywords: Health; education; empowerment; violence against women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 45 pages
Date: 2012-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-cwa, nep-dem, nep-edu, nep-lab and nep-ltv
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (51)

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Working Paper: Empowering Women Through Education: Evidence from Sierra Leone (2012)
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