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Women Political Leaders, Corruption and Learning: Evidence from a Large Public Program in India

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  • Afridi, Farzana

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • Iversen, Vegard

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Sharan, M.R.

    (Jameel Poverty Action Lab (JPAL))

Abstract

We use the nation-wide policy of randomly allocating village council headships to women to identify the impact of female political leadership on the governance of projects implemented under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in India. Using primary survey data, we find more program inefficiencies and leakages in village councils reserved for women heads: political and administrative inexperience make such councils more vulnerable to bureaucratic capture. When using a panel of audit reports, governance improves as female leaders accumulate experience. These results suggest that female political leadership may generate gains in governance but only after the initial, gendered disadvantages recede. Our findings highlight capacity building as necessary for bolstering the effectiveness of political quotas for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Afridi, Farzana & Iversen, Vegard & Sharan, M.R., 2013. "Women Political Leaders, Corruption and Learning: Evidence from a Large Public Program in India," IZA Discussion Papers 7212, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7212
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    political reservations; gender; NREGA; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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