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Determinants of Empowerment in a Capability-Based Poverty Approach: Evidence from The Gambia

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  • Trommlerová, Sofia Karina
  • Klasen, Stephan
  • Leßmann, Ortrud

Abstract

Although empowerment is intrinsically important and instrumentally valuable to escape poverty, there is little research on its empirical drivers. Using household-level information and advanced econometric techniques that also address endogeneity issues, we examine what empowers individuals in The Gambia to change their own lives and to affect changes in their communities. We find that age, gender, marital status, nationality, economic activity, and health are important determinants of empowerment at both communal and individual levels. Self-reported capabilities and communal empowerment strongly affect respondents’ desire to change things in their lives. Lastly, we find that men, foreigners, people in good health, and younger people report higher individual empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • Trommlerová, Sofia Karina & Klasen, Stephan & Leßmann, Ortrud, 2015. "Determinants of Empowerment in a Capability-Based Poverty Approach: Evidence from The Gambia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 1-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:66:y:2015:i:c:p:1-15
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.07.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    empowerment; agency; capability approach; The Gambia; correction for endogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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