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To invest or not to invest in sanitation: the role of intra-household gender differences in perceptions and bargaining power

Author

Listed:
  • Britta Augsburg

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Bansi Malde

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Kent)

  • Harriet Olorenshaw

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Zaki Wahhaj

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

Abstract
We exploit novel data collected within a randomised controlled trial of a sanitation microcredit intervention to study how intra-household gender di?erences in perceptions of costs and bene?ts of sanitation impact investment decisions. We show that – as long as the wife is involved in household decision-making – the intra-household differences in perceptions we document influence borrowing and investments: uptake of the sanitation loan is higher among households where the wife has higher bene?t perception, whereas successful conversion to a toilet depends on di?erences in monetary cost perceptions. The estimated effects are consistent with the predictions of a model of intra-household decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Britta Augsburg & Bansi Malde & Harriet Olorenshaw & Zaki Wahhaj, 2021. "To invest or not to invest in sanitation: the role of intra-household gender differences in perceptions and bargaining power," IFS Working Papers W21/45, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:21/45
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    Cited by:

    1. Abramovsky, Laura & Augsburg, Britta & Lührmann, Melanie & Oteiza, Francisco & Rud, Juan Pablo, 2023. "Community matters: Heterogeneous impacts of a sanitation intervention," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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