Gender and Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Are Women Disadvantaged?

51 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Reyes Aterido

Reyes Aterido

World Bank

Thorsten Beck

City University London - The Business School; Tilburg University - European Banking Center, CentER

Leo Iacovone

World Bank; University of Sussex

Date Written: February 1, 2011

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Access to Finance, Banks & Banking Reform, Emerging Markets, Housing & Human Habitats, Gender and Law

Suggested Citation

Aterido, Reyes and Beck, Thorsten and Iacovone, Leonardo, Gender and Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Are Women Disadvantaged? (February 1, 2011). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 5571, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1774418

Reyes Aterido (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

Washington, DC 20433
United States

Thorsten Beck

City University London - The Business School ( email )

106 Bunhill Row
London, EC1Y 8TZ
United Kingdom

Tilburg University - European Banking Center, CentER ( email )

PO Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Leonardo Iacovone

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street NW
MSN3-311
Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.worldbank.org

University of Sussex ( email )

Sussex House
Falmer
Brighton, Sussex BNI 9RH
United Kingdom

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
387
Abstract Views
1,907
Rank
140,279
PlumX Metrics