Gender and Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa : Are Women Disadvantaged?
This paper assesses whether there is a gender gap in the use of financial services by businesses and individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors do not find evidence of gender discrimination or lower inherent demand for financial services by ent...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Policy Research Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2012
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110223113408 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3338 |
| Summary: | This paper assesses whether there is a
gender gap in the use of financial services by businesses
and individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors do not
find evidence of gender discrimination or lower inherent
demand for financial services by enterprises with female
ownership participation or by female individuals when key
characteristics of the enterprises or individuals are taken
into account. In the case of enterprises, they explain this
finding with selection bias -- females are less likely to
run sole proprietorships than men, and firms with female
ownership participation are smaller, but more likely to
innovate. In the case of individuals, the lower use of
formal financial services by women can be explained by
gender gaps in other dimensions related to the use of
financial services, such as their lower level of income and
education, and by their household and employment status. |
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