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on Gender |
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Issue of 2025–09–15
eight papers chosen by Jan Sauermann, Institutet för Arbetsmarknads- och Utbildningspolitisk Utvärdering |
| By: | María Edo (Universidad de San Andrés and CONICET); Mariana Marchionni (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP and CONICET); María Florencia Pinto (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP); Mariana Viollaz (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP and IZA) |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to document the situation of women and the gender gaps in the economics profession across the full range of academic tiers, focused in Argentina. We conduct a comprehensive examination of the representation of women in Economics at various academic levels, from undergraduate programs to faculty and research positions. The analysis is based on several sources, including administrative national databases, administrative data coming from universities and other academic institutions, and microdata obtained from those institutions or through Web scraping. We assess gender differences in career trajectories, academic performance, access to research opportunities in the country and participation in relevant networks. By shedding light on the specific challenges faced by women in Economics in Argentina, we aim to inform policy recommendations and interventions that can promote gender equality and create a more inclusive and diverse economics profession. |
| JEL: | J16 I23 O30 A20 |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dls:wpaper:0355 |
| By: | Schnabel, Claus (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg); Abraham, Martin (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg); Wieser, Luisa (FAU, Erlangen Nuremberg); Niessen, Cornelia (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg); Bergmann, Sara (FAU Erlangen Nuremberg) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the digital gender divide (DGD) in Germany by analyzing gendered patterns of digital technology use in both private and professional contexts, and their consequences for wages. Using data from the GESIS Panel, we construct a Digital Involvement at Work index covering ten technologies to assess both active use and passive exposure. Our results reveal a significant DGD in the workplace: women are consistently less involved with digital technologies at work, even after controlling for education, occupational qualification, and digital affinity. In contrast, private digital use appears more balanced. This suggests that structural constraints—rather than individual preferences—play a key role in shaping the divide. Further, we find that digital involvement is positively associated with individual income, yet it does not close the gender pay gap (GPG). On the contrary, digital involvement yields greater wage returns for men than for women. These findings highlight how gendered patterns of digitalization in the workplace reinforce existing inequalities. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for policy and labor market equity, emphasizing the need for measures that promote equitable digital inclusion. |
| Keywords: | gender, digital involvement, digitalisation, wages, gender pay gap, Germany |
| JEL: | J31 J16 O15 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18097 |
| By: | Halleröd, Björn; Ekbrand, Hans; Zhang, Mary |
| Abstract: | The risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is closely tied to attitudes justifying IPV at individual, couple and societal levels. We analysed how women’s IPV risk varies with their own and their spouse’s attitudes, local community acceptance and country-level gender equality. Using data from 148, 421 couples across 30 low- and middle-income countries and 34 Indian states, we estimated Bayesian regression models via Markov Chain Monte Carlo with uninformative priors. IPV justification and IPV experience varied significantly across and within countries. Women’s risk was more strongly associated with their own attitudes than with their husbands’ attitudes. Community-level justification independently increased risk, while higher country-level gender equality was linked to lower IPV exposures. The association between neighbourhood norms and women’s risk was moderated by spousal attitudes, with the association strongest among couples in which neither partner justified IPV. Country-level gender equality consistently reduced women’s risk regardless of couples’ attitudes. These findings suggest that focusing solely on couples where husbands perpetrate IPV is insufficient. Sustainable prevention efforts must also address community norms and structural gender inequality. |
| Date: | 2025–09–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:47sa6_v1 |
| By: | María Cervini-Plá (Department of Applied Economics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain & EQUALITAS.); Alina Machado (Instituto de Economía, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of the exogenous shock of COVID-19 which led to a transition from in-person to online education, on the academic performance of university students, with a particular focus on gender differences. We exploit a unique and comprehensive dataset that includes all evaluation activities and their outcomes, for students enrolled in 2018 and 2019 at the main university in Uruguay. Using difference-in-differences techniques, we find that female students outperformed their male counterparts by passing more courses and improving their grade point average. This effect is observed among women from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and those who enter university immediately after finishing secondary school. Exploring the mechanisms behind these outcomes, we find that women report having greater participation compared to in-person classes, perceive more advantages in staying at home, and recognize more benefits in not commuting to the educational institution. |
| Keywords: | Gender, education, performance, online learning, university |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uab:wprdea:wpdea2511 |
| By: | Nadja van 't Hoff; Giovanni Mellace; Seetha Menon |
| Abstract: | This paper is the first to provide causal evidence of gender differences in healthcare utilisation to better understand the male-female health-survival paradox, where women live longer but experience worse health outcomes. Using rich Danish administrative healthcare data, we apply a staggered difference-in-differences approach that exploits the randomness in treatment timing to estimate the causal impact of adverse health shocks, such as non-fatal heart attacks or strokes, on healthcare use. Our findings suggest that men consistently use more healthcare than women, highlighting the underlying factors driving gender disparities in health outcomes. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on healthcare equity and inform policy interventions aimed at addressing these imbalances. |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2509.01310 |
| By: | Perihan O. Saygin (Department of Applied Economics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.); Garrison Pollard (Department of Economics, University of Florida, US.); Thomas Knight (Department of Economics, University of Florida, US.); Mark Rush (Department of Economics, University of Florida, US.) |
| Abstract: | Responses to performance feedback play a critical role in shaping future out comes in educational and professional contexts. This paper examines whether evaluator gender influences the likelihood that individuals contest feedback. Using an experiment conducted in large introductory economics courses, we exploit the random assignment of evaluators with randomly assigned male- or female-sounding names to identify a systematic gender bias: individuals are significantly more likely to contest feedback when it is delivered by an evaluator with a female-sounding name than when similar feedback comes from a male-sounding evaluator. This gender disparity is most pronounced when evaluations are harsh relative to a “fair” assessment, fall short of students’ performance expectations, and are more ambiguous. These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments and have implications for their authority, credibility, and career advancement in both educational and workplace settings. |
| Keywords: | gender, backlash, stereotypes. |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uab:wprdea:wpdea2510 |
| By: | Ahimbisibwe, Isaac (Baylor University); Altjmed, Adam (Swedish Institute for Social Research); Artemov, Georgy (University of Melbourne); Barrios-Fernandez, Andres (Universidad de los Andes); Bizopoulou, Aspasia (VATT, Helsinki); Kaila, Martti (University of Glasgow); Liu, Jin-Tan (National Taiwan University); Megalokonomou, Rigissa (Monash University); Montalban, Jose (SOFI, Stockholm University); Neilson, Christopher A. (Princeton University); Sun, Jintao (Rice University); Otero, Sebastian (Columbia University); Ye, Xiaoyang (Amazon) |
| Abstract: | Women account for only 35% of global STEM graduates, a share that has remained unchanged for a decade. We use administrative microdata from centralized university admissions in ten systems to deliver the first cross-national decomposition of the STEM gender gap into a pipeline gap (academic preparedness) and a choice gap (first-choice field conditional on eligibility). In deferred-acceptance platforms where eligibility is score-based, we isolate preferences from access. The pipeline gap varies widely, from -19 to +31 percentage points across education systems. By contrast, the choice gap is remarkably stable: high-scoring women are 25 percentage points less likely than men to rank STEM first. |
| Keywords: | centralized application platforms, STEM gender gap, gender inequality |
| JEL: | I23 I24 N30 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18092 |
| By: | Artz, Benjamin (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh); Siemers, Sarinda (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh); Li, Tianfang (University of Kentucky) |
| Abstract: | This study explores preferences for work-from-home (WFH) among U.S. wage and salaried workers in the post-COVID era with a focus on gender and managerial heterogeneity. Using data from the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes collected between April 2023 and January 2024, we analyze how demographic and work-related factors influence WFH preferences. Our findings reveal that women generally express a stronger preference for WFH than men. However, a nuanced picture emerges for female managers, particularly those aged 40 and older, who prefer fewer WFH days compared to non-manager women. Furthermore, we find that higher education, the presence of children, higher incomes, and racial minority groups (specifically Black and Hispanic individuals) are positively associated with a greater desire for WFH. These findings underscore the complex interplay among individual circumstances, the pursuit of work-life balance, leadership approaches, and persistent gender norms within households and workplaces that shape WFH preferences. Understanding these factors is crucial for organizations to design inclusive workplace policies and cultures that benefit both employees and the organization. |
| Keywords: | work from home preferences, remote work, work from home, attitudes toward working from home |
| JEL: | J16 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18089 |