Gender inequality in literacy status and its effects on households economic well-being in Burkina Faso: a semi-parametric bivariate sample selection modelling approach

This paper models the gender inequality in literacy status, and its effects on economic well-being in Burkina Faso, using data from the 2014 survey on household living conditions and a semi-parametric bivariate sample selection modelling approach. This approach compared to the classic Heckman two-step estimation procedure is methodologically innovative because it deals simultaneously with non-random sample selection using conventional systems of two equations, non-linear covariates' effects using spline approach, and the non-normal bivariate distribution using copula functions. The results show that although the observed gender inequality in literacy status does not translate into inequality in non-food wellness, it does however for food-wellness as females-headed households have 38.9% less per-capita food consumption spending than their males' counterparts. Combining both food and non-food consumption spending, total economic well-being also seems to exhibit significant gender inequality as female headed households now have relatively 26.7% less combined per-capita consumption spending.