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Women in Political Power and School Closure during COVID Times

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  • Danzer, Natalia

    (Free University of Berlin)

  • Garcia-Torres, Sebastian

    (Freie Universität Berlin)

  • Steinhardt, Max F.

    (Free University of Berlin)

  • Stella, Luca

    (Free University of Berlin)

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between women's representation in political power and school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-country dataset in Europe, we document a striking negative relationship between the share of female members in national governments and school closures. We show that a one standard deviation increase in female members of national governments is associated with a reduction in the likelihood of school lockdowns by 24% relative to the average share of school closures. This result is robust to an extensive set of sensitivity checks. We attribute this pattern to a higher awareness of female politicians about the potential costs that school closures imply for families.

Suggested Citation

  • Danzer, Natalia & Garcia-Torres, Sebastian & Steinhardt, Max F. & Stella, Luca, 2023. "Women in Political Power and School Closure during COVID Times," IZA Discussion Papers 15975, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15975
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    Cited by:

    1. Jose Garcia-Louzao & Ruben Perez-Sanz, 2024. "Women’s Voice at Work and Family-Friendly Firms," CESifo Working Paper Series 10982, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    school closures; COVID-19; gender; political economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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