What gave you the idea of studying the impact of gender norms on women’s economic empowerment?
The inspiration for my thesis emerged from both personal experiences and professional insights gained through my work in development economics. During my time with organisations like the World Bank and field research in Nigeria and Rwanda, I witnessed the systemic challenges women face in agriculture and small enterprises. Their struggles, resilience, and the pervasive influence of gender norms on economic opportunities motivated me to explore how specific economic interventions, like cash transfers or agricultural policies, could be effective tools for driving change. Evidence has grown about the potential of these interventions not only to alleviate poverty but also to challenge norms, empowering women to drive broader social and economic change. I too wanted to contribute empirical research that could inform future policies.
Your thesis consists of three essays. Could you describe them for us?
My first essay, co-authored with Sreelakshmi Papineni, Markus Goldstein and Jed Friedman, is titled Cash Is Queen: Local Economy Effects of Cash Transfers to Women in Nigeria. It explores the effects of unconditional cash transfers on women’s economic empowerment and local economies. It is based on a randomised controlled trial I conducted in Northern Nigeria, focusing on ultrapoor households and taking into account both recipients and nearby non-recipients of the transfers. Findings show that women who received cash transfers were more likely to start microenterprises, which led to increased household income and improved food security. The study also uncovered positive spillover effects in the local economy, as even non-recipients benefited. Women’s enterprise ownership increased by 20 percentage points, with nearby households also seeing a rise of 13 percentage points, demonstrating the broader impact of empowering women economically.
In the second essay, Unveiling the Gender Divide, I set out to identify the gender gaps in agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in Nigeria, and the factors that contribute to these gaps. I used high-frequency data from Nigerian smallholder farms and controlled for factors like labour inputs, land size, and crop selection. Female farmers were found to be significantly less productive than their male counterparts, largely due to differences in labour allocation, resource access, and time use. Women often spent more time on household duties, which limited their ability to focus on their agricultural work. The essay suggests that addressing these disparities through resource allocation and household responsibility redistribution could close the productivity gap.
The third and final essay, Breadwinners and Caregivers: Examining the Global Relationship between Gender Norms and Economic Behavior, was written with Markus Goldstein, Talip Kilic, Sreelakshmi Papineni and Philip Wollburg. Using data from 150,000 individuals across 111 countries and multivariate regression, it analyses how gender norms affect labour force participation and household decision-making. The results show that in societies where gender norms are more equitable, women are more likely to participate in the labour market, and men are more likely to contribute to household chores. The study also identifies a global underestimation of public support for gender equality, which hinders progress toward achieving gender equality. Changing these norms through policies, awareness campaigns, and education could significantly advance gender equality.
It is clear from this description that your PhD thesis has strong social and political implications
It indeed has important social and political implications. Firstly, it demonstrates that economic interventions, such as cash transfers, can empower women, not only improving their financial status but also stimulating local economies. This suggests that policies targeting women’s economic participation can have far-reaching effects.
Secondly, the findings highlight the gender disparities in agricultural productivity, calling for targeted policies to address these inequalities. Such measures could improve agricultural output and food security, particularly in developing regions. Politically, the research supports the case for gender-sensitive agricultural reforms.
On a broader scale, the research underscores the significant role of gender norms in shaping economic behaviours. Policies that challenge traditional gender roles, especially those promoting greater female labour participation and shared household responsibilities, can contribute to more inclusive economic growth. Moreover, addressing public misperceptions about support for gender equality can help build a stronger consensus for gender-equitable policies.
Overall, this thesis advocates for a multidimensional approach to economic development that integrates gender considerations and promotes inclusive growth. It underscores the mutually reinforcing relationship between gender equality and economic development, suggesting that both can be achieved through comprehensive and targeted policies. These insights have vital implications for policymakers and development organisations working toward the dual goals of economic growth and gender equity.
What are you doing now, in your post-PhD life?
Later last year I was awarded an SNSF Postdoc.Mobility fellowship, so as of 1 September I have started as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Economics at Northwestern University in Chicago. My current research investigates the impact of climate variability on intra-household time allocation and well-being among Ethiopian smallholder farmers. I focus on how climate shocks disproportionately affect women’s time use, exacerbating gender inequalities and time poverty. Using high-frequency time-use and climate data, the study aims to uncover how gender-specific adaptations to climate change influence household outcomes, such as food security and resource control. The findings will help shape gender-inclusive climate policies and strategies to address the unique challenges faced by women in rural agricultural settings.
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Paula Lorena Gonzalez Martinez defended her PhD thesis in Development Economics on 10 June 2024. Associate Professor Julia Cajal Grossi presided over the committee, which included Professor Lore Vandewalle, Thesis Director, and, as as External Reader, Professor Karen Macours, Paris School of Economics, France.
Citation of the PhD thesis:
Gonzalez Martinez, Paula Lorena. “From Norms to Action: Women’s Empowerment in Development Economics.” PhD thesis, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, 2024.
Members of the Geneva Graduate Institute can access the thesis via this page of the repository. Others can contact Dr Gonzalez Martinez.
Banner image: Shutterstock/Oni Abimbola.
Interview by Nathalie Tanner, Research Office.