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Protectionism and Gender Inequality in Developing Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Artuc Erhan
  • Rijkers Bob

    (Development Economics Research Group, The World Bank, 1818 H St NW, Washington, DC, 20433, USA)

  • Depetris Chauvin Nicolas

    (HES-SO Geneva School of Business Administration, Rue de la Tambourine 17, 1227, Carouge, Switzerland)

  • Porto Guido

    (Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Departamento de Economia, Calle 6 e/ 47 y 48, 1900, La Plata, Argentina)

Abstract

How do tariffs impact gender inequality? Using harmonized household survey and tariff data from 54 low- and middle income countries, this paper shows that protectionism has an anti-female bias. On average, tariffs repress the real incomes of female headed households by 0.6 percentage points relative to that of male headed ones. Female headed households bear the brunt of tariffs because they derive a smaller share of their income from and spend a larger share of their budget on agricultural products, which are usually subject to high tariffs in developing countries. Consistent with this explanation, the anti-female bias is stronger in countries where female-headed households are underrepresented in agricultural production, are more reliant on remittances, and spend a comparatively larger share of their budgets on food than male-headed ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Artuc Erhan & Rijkers Bob & Depetris Chauvin Nicolas & Porto Guido, 2023. "Protectionism and Gender Inequality in Developing Countries," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 14(2), pages 177-222, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:globdv:v:14:y:2023:i:2:p:177-222:n:5
    DOI: 10.1515/jgd-2022-0023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender inequality; globalization; international trade; poverty; tariffs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • J43 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Agricultural Labor Markets

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