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Women’s empowerment in action: evidence from a randomized control trial in Africa

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  • Bandiera, Oriana
  • Buehren, Niklas
  • Burgess, Robin
  • Goldstein, Markus
  • Gulesci, Selim
  • Rasul, Imran
  • Sulaiman, Munshi

Abstract

We evaluate a multifaceted policy intervention attempting to jump-start adolescent women's empowerment in Uganda by simultaneously providing them vocational training and information on sex, reproduction, and marriage. We find that four years postintervention, adolescent girls in treated communities are more likely to be self-employed. Teen pregnancy, early entry into marriage/cohabitation, and the share of girls reporting sex against their will fall sharply. The results highlight the potential of a multifaceted program that provides skills transfers as a viable and cost-effective policy intervention to improve the economic and social empowerment of adolescent girls over a four-year horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Bandiera, Oriana & Buehren, Niklas & Burgess, Robin & Goldstein, Markus & Gulesci, Selim & Rasul, Imran & Sulaiman, Munshi, 2020. "Women’s empowerment in action: evidence from a randomized control trial in Africa," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 102465, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:102465
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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