2010年-世界发展银行全球_How_Do_Women_Weather_Economic_Shocks__A_Review_of_the_Evidence_45页_637kb

How Do Women Weather Economic Shocks? A Review of the Evidence

Core Content

This working paper explores how economic shocks affect women and their children differently, particularly in low-income countries. It reviews empirical evidence from past crises and provides insights into the current global financial crisis, focusing on labor market impacts, fertility behavior, and effects on children's schooling and health.

Main Views

• Gender-specific impacts of economic shocks: Women are more likely to experience adverse effects from economic downturns compared to men, especially in low-income countries.
• Labor market responses: During economic crises, women from low-income households tend to enter the labor force (added worker effect), while those from richer households may exit. This effect is more pronounced in low- and middle-income economies and among women with lower education levels.
• Fertility behavior: Economic crises often lead to a postponement of fertility, particularly among women with lower education and in urban areas. However, this may not always be reflected in overall fertility rates.
• Children's schooling and health: Economic downturns can lead to both increases and decreases in children's schooling, with gender differences observed. In low-income countries, girls are more adversely affected than boys. Similarly, child health, particularly infant mortality, is negatively impacted during economic crises, especially in low-income countries.

Key Information

1. Introduction

The paper examines the gender-specific consequences of economic shocks on women and their children in developing countries. It highlights that women's labor market participation, fertility, and children's education and health are affected differently from men. The analysis includes both first-round and second-round impacts of economic crises.

2. Conceptual Framework

• First-round impacts: Include job losses, reduced wages, and lower remittances, which increase household poverty risk.
• Second-round impacts: Involve coping strategies such as increased labor force participation by women, reduced fertility, and changes in children's schooling and health investments.
• Transmission channels: These include labor market responses, fertility adjustments, and changes in children's education and health spending.

3. Impacts of Economic Crises: The Evidence

3.1 Women's Labor Market Impact

• Added worker effect: Women from low-income households often enter the labor force during economic downturns to supplement family income.
• Discouraged worker effect: Some women, especially those with higher education, may exit the labor force if job opportunities are limited.
• Sectoral differences: Informal and unregulated sectors are more affected, with women more likely to be impacted in these areas.
• Urban vs. rural: In urban areas, women's labor force participation tends to increase, while in rural areas, work hours may rise without a significant increase in participation.

3.2 Fertility

• Pro-cyclical fertility: Fertility rates tend to decline during economic downturns, especially in middle-income and developed countries.
• Postponement of childbearing: Women tend to delay or reduce fertility in response to economic crises, particularly those with limited access to credit.
• Demographic shifts: Younger, more educated, and urban women are more likely to postpone fertility, while less educated women may be more affected by economic slowdowns in terms of childbearing likelihood.

3.3 Gender-Disaggregated Impacts on Children's Schooling and Health

• Schooling: Economic crises can lead to both increases and decreases in children's schooling, but gender differences are often minimal. In some cases, girls are more affected than boys.
• Health: Economic downturns are associated with increased infant mortality and reduced child health outcomes, especially in low-income countries. Girls are more vulnerable to adverse health effects than boys.

Policy Implications

• Income support for women: Cash transfers and workfare programs have been effective in providing income to poor women and protecting children's well-being during economic downturns.
• Need for targeted policies: Policies should focus on supporting women's income and reducing the adverse effects on children's education and health, particularly in low-income countries.
• Role of microfinance: Microfinance institutions play a crucial role in supporting women's income, but their effectiveness may be limited during credit crunches.

Conclusion

Economic shocks have significant and often gender-differentiated impacts on women and their children. While women are more likely to be affected in terms of labor market participation and fertility, these effects vary by country income level and economic structure. Effective policy responses should be designed to support women's income and protect children's well-being, especially in low-income countries where the adverse effects are most pronounced.