Lux Lucet in Tenebris: The Role of Waldensian Culture in Reducing the Gender Gap

Abstract

Do religiously driven cultural norms contribute to the gender gap? Focusing on Italian municipalities in the Piedmont region, we study the long-run cultural effect of medieval Waldensian Christian communities on early 19th century female literacy rates. All outcomes of the education gender gap are, on average, statistically and economically lower in municipalities that are home to Waldensian communities. This effect persists until present days, in that women living in these municipalities have, on average, higher education levels. The effect also extends to labor market participation and women’s political representation. Our results confirm the importance of cultural and social norms for women’s empowerment and the reduction of the gender gap.

Keywords: Gender gap, Religion, Women Empowerment, Waldensians

JEL Classification: J16, N3, Z1