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Gender Inequality, Governance, and Poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa

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  • Migbaru A. Workneh

Abstract

This article uses panel data for 34 countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa to investigate the effects of gender inequality and governance on poverty. It applied a maximum likelihood estimation of random effect models. We found that high gender inequality in Sub‐Saharan Africa contributes to high poverty. The results also show that good governance in Sub‐Saharan Africa may have a decisive positive impact on poverty reduction. The results are robust at country‐ and region‐level data. It is also found that the net effect from the interaction of gender inequality and absence of good governance can have a potential impact on increasing poverty. Hence, to get out of poverty, improving human development and refining frameworks that improve institutional quality through voice and accountability, regulations, and government effectiveness on socioeconomic issues are necessary. The high gender inequality in the region should also be decreased. 本文使用撒哈拉以南非洲34个国家的面板数据, 调查性别不平等与治理对贫困产生的效应。本文应用了随机效应模型的最大似然估计。我们发现, 撒哈拉以南非洲的高度性别不平等造成了高度贫困。研究还表明, 撒哈拉以南非洲的善治可能对减贫具有决定性积极影响。研究结果对国家级和地区级数据而言是稳健的。研究还发现, 性别不平等与善治缺乏之间的相互影响所产生的净效应能潜在地影响贫困增加。因此, 要想以提高人类发展、对通过发言与问责提升制度质量的框架加以改进从而摆脱贫困, 则有必要提出有关社会经济问题的规制和政府效力。也应减少该区域的高度性别不平等。 Este documento utiliza datos de panel de 34 países en África subsahariana para investigar el efecto de la desigualdad de género y la gobernanza en la pobreza. Se aplicó una estimación de máxima verosimilitud de modelos de efectos aleatorios. Descubrimos que la alta desigualdad de género en el África subsahariana contribuye a la alta pobreza. Los resultados también muestran que la buena gobernanza en África Subsahariana puede tener un impacto positivo decisivo en la reducción de la pobreza. Los resultados son sólidos a nivel nacional y regional. También se encuentra que el efecto neto de la interacción de la desigualdad de género y la ausencia de una buena gobernanza puede tener un impacto potencial para aumentar la pobreza. Por lo tanto, para salir de la pobreza mejorando el desarrollo humano, es necesario refinar marcos que mejoren la calidad institucional a través de la voz y la rendición de cuentas, las regulaciones y la efectividad del gobierno en temas socioeconómicos. La alta desigualdad de género en la región también debería reducirse.

Suggested Citation

  • Migbaru A. Workneh, 2020. "Gender Inequality, Governance, and Poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(2), pages 150-174, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:povpop:v:12:y:2020:i:2:p:150-174
    DOI: 10.1002/pop4.278
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    1. Abdulhakeem, A. Kilishi & Abdulrahman, Idris Abdulganiyu & Oniyide, Gbenga Daniel, 2023. "Governance and Multidimensional Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 11(5), December.

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