Maternal mortality and women’s political participation

Publication type

Research Paper

Series Number

11590

Series

IZA Discussion Papers

Authors

Publication date

June 15, 2018

Summary:

Raising women’s political participation leads to faster maternal mortality decline. We estimate that the introduction of quotas for women in parliament results in a 9 to 12% decline in maternal mortality. In terms of mechanisms, it also leads to an 8 to 11% increase in skilled birth attendance and a 6 to 11% increase in prenatal care utilization. We find reinforcing evidence from the period in which the United States experienced rapid declines in maternal mortality. The historical decline made feasible by the introduction of antibiotics was significantly greater in states that had longer exposure to women’s suffrage.

Subjects

Link

ftp://repec.iza.org/RePEc/Discussionpaper/dp11590.pdf

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