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My Research

My research aims to uncover the intricacies of economic empowerment and gender dynamics, especially within rural and agricultural communities. By highlighting the impacts of various economic interventions, I advocate for policies that drive inclusive growth and promote gender equality. The research below delves into these critical issues.

Publications 

  • Goldstein, M., Gonzalez, P., Kilic, T., Papineni, S. & Wollburg, P. (2024) Breadwinners and caregivers: Examining the global relationship between gender norms and economic behavior. Scottish Journal of Political Economy, 00, e12406. 

  • Annan, J., Donald, A., Goldstein, M., Gonzalez P., Koolwal G. (2021). “Taking power: Women’s empowerment and household Well-being in Sub-Saharan Africa”, World Development, Volume 140.

Working Papers

  • Cash Is Queen: Local Economic Effects of Unconditional Cash Transfers to Women in West Africa with Sreelakshmi Papineni , Markus Goldstein and ​Jed Friedman (2024) (Doctoral Thesis Chapter)

This paper evaluates the effects of an unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program targeting ultra-poor households in Northern Nigeria, focusing on women. The study finds that UCTs significantly increased micro-enterprise formation among beneficiaries, with a 20 percentage point rise in business ownership a year after program cessation. Non-beneficiary women in the same villages also saw a 13 percentage point increase. Both groups experienced higher consumption, reduced food insecurity, and more joint decision-making in households. The study highlights the role of increased local demand and female labor in driving these outcomes, estimating a partial income multiplier of at least 1.2 from the cash transfers.

  • Sowing Change: Unveiling Gender Dynamics in Nigerian Smallholder Farming through High-Frequency Data Insights on Labor Composition and Time Use Allocation (2024) (Doctoral Thesis Chapter).

This study investigates gender disparities in agricultural productivity in Nigeria, utilizing high-frequency data from 1060 plot managers across 15 states, the study examines causes of gender gaps in labor access and returns. Initial findings show significant disparities—36% in the South and 46% in the North—narrowing to 20% and 14% with comprehensive variable control. The study highlights regional variations, with labor access critical in the South and time allocation in the North. The analysis reveals differing impacts of managerial, hired, and family labor, emphasizing the complex interplay between labor availability, seasonal demands, and gender roles.

Policy Research Working Papers

  • Childcare, COVID-19 and Female Firm Exit: Impact of COVID-19 School Closure Policies on Global Gender Gaps in Business Outcomes with Markus Goldstein, Sreelakshmi Papineni and Josh  Wimpey. (2022).

This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 school closure policies on gender gaps in business outcomes globally. Using data from over 150,000 business owners across 50 countries collected via Facebook, the study finds that female-led firms were 4 percentage points more likely to close and experienced larger revenue declines than male-led firms during the pandemic. The study highlights that school closures increased domestic and care responsibilities, disproportionately affecting women entrepreneurs, particularly in more conservative societies. The paper provides evidence of a "motherhood penalty" in entrepreneurship, stressing the need for childcare policies to mitigate gender inequalities.

  • Tackling the Global Profitarchy: Gender and the Choice of Business Sector with Markus Goldstein and Sreelakshmi Papineni (2019).

This paper investigates the impact of sectoral segregation on gender earnings gaps in business profits globally. Using data from the Future of Business survey covering 97 countries, the authors analyze how women in male-dominated sectors fare compared to those in traditionally female sectors. The findings reveal that women in male-dominated sectors earn significantly higher profits, leading to a hierarchical structure of earnings, termed "profitarchy." The paper explores factors influencing women's entry into male-dominated sectors, highlighting the roles of family inheritance, male role models, and socioemotional skills. Policy recommendations focus on mentorship, skill development, and addressing intra-household dynamics to reduce gender earnings gaps.

Work in Progress

  • Brudevold-Newman, A., Delavallade, C., Donald, A, Gonzalez, P., Seymour, G. "Understanding Gender Differences and Variations in Cognitive Labor: Insights from a Quantitative Analysis and Cognitive Labor Instrument Development".

  • Brudevold-Newman, A., Delavallade, C. "Exploring Gender Gaps in Agricultural Productivity: Evidence from Ethiopia's High-Frequency Labor Survey and Energy-Expenditure Analysis". 

  • Goldstein, M. Gonzalez, P., Iacovone, L., Rodriguez-Chamussy, L. "Gender gaps in firm performance: Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean".

  • Gonzalez, P.,  Papineni,S. "Is cash alone enough or does it take a village? Effects of Cash Transfers versus a Community Livelihoods Program for the ultra-poor: Experimental Evidence from Northwest Nigeria". 

Policy Reports & Others

  • World Bank 2023. "Finding the Time and Labor to Farm: How Social Dynamics Drive Gender Differences in Agricultural Labor in Southern Nigeria". Washington, D.C. World Bank Group.

  • World Bank 2022. "Closing Gaps, Increasing Opportunities: A Diagnostic on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nigeria". Washington, D.C. World Bank Group.

  • World Bank. 2022. "Breaking Barriers: Female Entrepreneurs Who Cross Over to Male-Dominated Sectors". Washington, D.C. World Bank Group.

  • World Bank. 2019. "Ethiopia Gender Diagnostic Report: Priorities for Promoting Equity". Washington, D.C. World Bank Group.

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