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Female Leaders and Intrahousehold Dynamics: Evidence from State Elections in India

Author

Listed:
  • S. Anukriti
  • Bilge Erten
  • Priya Mukherjee

Abstract

We study the impact of women's political representation on the well-being of their female constituents, specifically in the domain of health. Increasing women's political representation leads to greater public provision of reproductive health care services in rural areas. Consequently, rural women can exercise greater control over their reproductive choices through the adoption of modern contraception and increased birth spacing. However, these positive impacts are accompanied by an increase in intimate partner violence against women. The increase in spousal abuse is particularly pronounced among women whose husbands prefer to have additional sons, suggesting that the wife's greater contraceptive use triggers marital conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Anukriti & Bilge Erten & Priya Mukherjee, 2026. "Female Leaders and Intrahousehold Dynamics: Evidence from State Elections in India," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 18(3), pages 441-475, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:18:y:2026:i:3:p:441-75
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20240369
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • 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
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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