Industrial Gold Mining and Female Empowerment

Benshaul-Tolonen, A. (2022). Industrial gold mining and female empowerment. Economic Development and Cultural Change.

75 Pages Posted: 9 Dec 2018 Last revised: 10 Nov 2023

See all articles by Anja Benshaul-Tolonen

Anja Benshaul-Tolonen

Barnard College - Department of Economics

Date Written: October 25, 2022

Abstract

Does industrial development affect female empowerment? This paper explores
the causal effects of a continent-wide expansion of a modern industry on female empowerment.
Identification relies on plausibly exogenous spatial-temporal variation in
gold mining in Africa. The establishment of industrial-scale mines induces female
empowerment—justification of domestic violence decreases by 19%, women have better
access to healthcare (23%), and are 31% more likely to work in services—alongside
rapid economic growth. The changes are not limited to subgroups, and are present
across women of all ages and migration status. There are no clear changes in attitudes
held by men—who are on average less likely to endorse violence—leading to a smaller
gender gap in justification of violence. Despite fears that a positive shock to a male
dominated sector would reduce women’s bargaining power in the household, no such
change is observed. Results survive several robustness checks relating to trends and
treatment distances, and are supported by results on community development, including
night light and health care access.

Keywords: Natural Resources; Gold Mining; Local Industrial Development; Female Empowerment; Domestic Violence; Bargaining Power; Service Sector Employment

JEL Classification: O12, O13, J16

Suggested Citation

Benshaul-Tolonen, Anja, Industrial Gold Mining and Female Empowerment (October 25, 2022). Benshaul-Tolonen, A. (2022). Industrial gold mining and female empowerment. Economic Development and Cultural Change. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3284519 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3284519

Anja Benshaul-Tolonen (Contact Author)

Barnard College - Department of Economics ( email )

3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States

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