2017年-世界发展银行全球_How_Do_Women_Fare_in_Rural_Non-Farm_Economy__40页_1mb

Summary of "How Do Women Fare in Rural Non-Farm Economy?"

Core Content

This working paper investigates the gender-based differences in access to and returns from the rural non-farm economy (RNFE) in Uganda and Ethiopia. It uses panel data from the Living Standards Measurement Study-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) to analyze the role of RNFE in rural livelihoods and the extent to which women are able to benefit from it.

Main Objectives

• To assess whether women have equal access to high-return economic activities in the RNFE.
• To examine if the gender gap in access to RNFE varies by industry.
• To determine if there is a gender gap in returns from RNFE and whether this gap is due to differences in resource endowments or other factors.
• To explore the industrial classification of non-farm activities and their impact on women's participation and returns.

Key Findings

1. Access and Returns in RNFE

• Female-headed households have limited access to both salaried employment and self-employment in the RNFE.
• In Ethiopia, female-headed households earn 29% less in gross returns from RNFE compared to male-headed households.
• In Uganda, the gap is 61%, which is significantly higher.
• The gender return gap is more pronounced in rural areas than in rural+ areas (which include small towns).

2. Resource Endowments and Returns

• In Ethiopia, endowment differences do not explain the return gap, suggesting the presence of gender bias.
• In Uganda, endowment differences partially explain the return gap in rural areas, but not in rural+ areas.

3. Industry-Specific Participation

• Female-headed households are underrepresented in high-return industries such as:
  • Construction
  • Transport and communications
  • Manufacturing
  • Fishery
  • Public administration and defense
• Female-headed households are more likely to be involved in agriculture and manufacturing in Uganda, and in health and social work in both countries.
• In Ethiopia, female-headed households are more engaged in agricultural processing and health/social work, while male-headed households are more involved in non-agricultural businesses.

4. Location and Start-Up Capital

• Female-headed households tend to operate non-farm enterprises closer to their residence, especially in Ethiopia.
• In Uganda, construction sites and traditional markets are also common locations for female-owned enterprises.
• Own savings and agricultural income are the primary sources of start-up capital for both male and female-headed households.
• Female-headed households in Ethiopia have more diversified capital sources, including non-farm self-employment, family/friends, and private moneylenders.

Methodology

• The study applies Heckman correction to account for selection bias.
• It uses Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition to identify the explained and unexplained portions of the return gap.
• Data is collected from nationally representative LSMS-ISA surveys in Ethiopia and Uganda.
• The analysis includes 17 industries based on the ISIC classification.

Policy Implications

• The gender gap in RNFE is significant and requires targeted interventions to improve women's access to high-return economic activities.
• Policies should address barriers to women's participation in non-agricultural sectors, including training, credit access, and market linkages.
• The industrial structure of RNFE varies significantly between the two countries, highlighting the need for context-specific strategies.
• Enhancing women's endowments and reducing gender bias in the non-farm sector could lead to improved economic outcomes and socioeconomic mobility for female-headed households.

Conclusion

• Despite the importance of RNFE in both countries, women are disadvantaged in terms of access and returns.
• The return gap is not fully explained by differences in endowments, suggesting the presence of systemic gender bias.
• The industrial classification of non-farm activities plays a crucial role in understanding the gender disparities in RNFE.
• The comparison between Uganda and Ethiopia provides insights into how the development of the non-farm sector can influence gender equity in rural economies.

Summary Table

Additional Notes

• The role of RNFE is more significant in Uganda, where it accounts for almost half of the gross household income.
• In Ethiopia, only 26% of gross household income is from off-farm activities.
• The gender gap in RNFE is influenced by socio-cultural factors, access to markets, and industry-specific barriers.

References

• The paper draws on previous studies by Reardon, Barrett, Bezu, and others to contextualize the findings.
• It also references the World Bank's Poverty and Equity Global Practice Group and its efforts to improve development policy through research.