Information, Female Empowerment and Governance in Oaxaca, Mexico

Citation:

Díaz-Cayeros, Alberto, Beatriz Magaloni, and Alex Ruiz Euler. 2010. “Information, Female Empowerment and Governance in Oaxaca, Mexico.” Working Paper Working No 544,  Center for International Development, Stanford University, Stanfort, California.

Authors: Alberto Díaz-Cayeros, Beatriz Magaloni, Alex Ruiz Euler

Abstract:

Traditional community rules are formally recognized in multiple constitutions across Latin America. Scholars debate the extent to which these practices conform to broader principles of gender equality. A unique institutional feature in the impoverished state of Oaxaca, Mexico, divides municipalities into traditional and party-based governance. We exploit this feature with  original survey data and find that rates of female participation in traditional communities are not different when compared to non-traditional ones. We also conduct a survey experiment to explore how perceptions about female leadership change with factual information about female mayors. We find the strongest demonstration effect on women recipient of the conditional cashtransfer program Oportunidades. Our evidence suggests overall that traditional governance is not a relevant dimension to understand female disempowerment, and that entrenched discriminatory practices against women (which exist but are not inherent to traditional rule) are sensitive to community bargains and well-designed policy

Topics: Development, Gender, Women, Governance, Elections, Political Participation Regions: Americas, North America Countries: Mexico

Year: 2010

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