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Employment without empowerment: Low-wage manufacturing and intimate partner violence in Nicaragua, 1998–2012

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  • Grogan, Louise

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of new employment opportunities for women in manufacturing on intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nicaragua. The timing of export processing zone (EPZ) placement and the characteristics of recruited employees are exploited for inference. IPV is found to increase as a result of this employment. Consistent with ‘male backlash’ and instrumental motives for IPV, controlling behaviour and alcohol over-consumption by women’s partners rises. When potential wages are very low, bargaining power effects of employment may be dominated by motives of re-assertion of control and resource extraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Grogan, Louise, 2025. "Employment without empowerment: Low-wage manufacturing and intimate partner violence in Nicaragua, 1998–2012," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:195:y:2025:i:c:s0305750x25001068
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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