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Victims of electoral violence and their children experience irreversible stunting: The long-term welfare effects of electoral violence

Author

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  • Roxana Gutiérrez-Romero

    (Queen Mary University of London, School of Business and Management,)

Abstract

Despite the extensive literature on civil conflict, little is known about the medium- and long-term effects of electoral violence on young children and adolescents. This paper shows that electoral violence of low scale yet recursive nature has a detrimental effect on the height of children and adolescents of affected households. Our identification strategy uses the variation of electoral violence across time and space in Kenya during 1992−2013. We find that infants and adolescents exposed to electoral violence are shorter as adults if compared to similar people not exposed to violence during their growing age. We also find inter-generation effects as the children of the victims of electoral violence, particularly boys, also have reduced height-for-age. Higher food prices and changes in diet experienced during outbreaks of violence are important mechanisms. No impact is found on the educational attainment of school-aged pupils as electoral violence has been concentrated during the school holidays.

Suggested Citation

  • Roxana Gutiérrez-Romero, 2021. "Victims of electoral violence and their children experience irreversible stunting: The long-term welfare effects of electoral violence," HiCN Working Papers 364, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:364
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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