Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/180608 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11590
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Raising women's political participation leads to faster maternal mortality decline. We estimate that the introduction of quotas for women in parliament results in a 9 to 12% decline in maternal mortality. In terms of mechanisms, it also leads to an 8 to 11% increase in skilled birth attendance and a 6 to 11% increase in prenatal care utilization. We find reinforcing evidence from the period in which the United States experienced rapid declines in maternal mortality. The historical decline made feasible by the introduction of antibiotics was significantly greater in states that had longer exposure to women's suffrage.
Subjects: 
maternal mortality
women's political representation
gender
quotas
suffrage
JEL: 
I14
I15
O15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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