Revisiting the Regional Growth Convergence Debate in Colombia Using Income Indicators

This paper investigates growth convergence across Colombian departments during the period of 1975 to 2000, following both the regression and the distributional approaches suggested in the literature, and using two income measures computed by Centro de Estudios Ganaderos (CEGA).We also discuss issues related to data provided by Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadısticas (DANE) used by previous convergence studies. Our results show no evidence supporting convergence using per capita gross departmental product, but rather persistence in the distribution. Using per capita gross household disposable income, we find convergence, but only at a low speed, close to one percent per year. Furthermore, we find no evidence of the existence of different steady states for the two variables considered.Colombia, regional growth convergence, growth regression, kernel density estimators

Regional Growth Convergence in Colombia Using Social Indicators

This paper investigates convergence in social indicators among Colombian departments from 1973 to 2005. We use census data and apply both the regression approach and the distributional approach (univariate and bivariate kernel density estimators). Using literacy rate as a proxy for education, we find convergence between 1973 and 2005, but persistence in the distribution between 1975 and 2000, when we use the infant survival rate and life expectancy at birth as proxies for health. Additionally, using data from Demographic and Health Surveys, we find convergence in the rate of children that are well-nourished between 1995 and 2005.Colombia, regional convergence, distribution dynamics, social indicators, kernel density estimators

Reexamining the link between gender and corruption: The role of social institutions

In this paper we reexamine the link between gender inequality and corruption. We review the literature on the relationship between representation of women in economic and political life, democracy and corruption, and bring in a new previously omitted variable that captures the level of discrimination against women in a society: social institutions related to gender inequality. Using a sample of developing countries we regress corruption on the representation of women, democracy and other control variables. Then we add the subindex civil liberties from the OECD Development Centre's GID Data-Base as the measure of social institutions related to gender inequality. The results show that corruption is higher in countries where social institutions deprive women of their freedom to participate in social life, even accounting for democracy and representation of women in political and economic life as well as for other variables. Our findings suggest that, in a context where social values disadvantage women, neither political reforms towards democracy nor increasing the representation of women in political and economic positions might be enough to reduce corruption. --Social institutions,Gender inequality,Corruption,OECD Development Centre's GID Data-Base

Why we should all care about social institutions related to gender inequality

Institutions are a major factor explaining development outcomes. This study focuses on social institutions related to gender inequality understood as long-lasting norms, values and codes of conduct that shape gender roles, and presents evidence on why they matter for development. We derive hypotheses from existing theories and empirically test them at the cross-country level with linear regressions using the newly created Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) and its subindices as measures for social institutions. We find that apart from geography, political system, religion, and the level of economic development, one has to consider social institutions related to gender inequality to better account for differences in development. Our results show that social institutions that deprive women of their autonomy and bargaining power in the household, or that increase the private costs and reduce the private returns to investments into girls, are associated with lower female education, higher fertility rates and higher child mortality. Moreover, social institutions related to gender inequality are negatively associated with governance measured as rule of law and voice and accountability. --Social institutions,SIGI,Gender inequality,Fertility,Child mortality,Female education,Governance

The Institutional Basis of Gender Inequality

In this paper we construct the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) and its five subindices Family code, Civil liberties, Physical integrity, Son Preference and Ownership rights using variables of the OECD Gender, Institutions and Development database. Instead of measuring gender inequality in education, health, economic or political participation, these indices allow a new perspective on gender issues in developing countries. The SIGI and the subindices measure long-lasting social institutions which are mirrored by societal practices and legal norms that frame gender-relevant meanings and form the basis of gender roles. The subindices measure each one dimension of the concept and the SIGI combines the subindices into a multidimensional index of deprivation of women caused by social institutions. Methodologically, the SIGI is inspired by the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measures. It offers a new way of aggregating gender inequality in several dimensions, penalizing high inequality in each dimension and allowing only for partial compensation between dimensions. The SIGI and the subindices are useful tools to identify countries and dimensions of social institutions that deserve attention. Empirical results confirm that the SIGI provides additional information to that of other well-known gender-related indices. --SIGI,Composite index,Gender inequality,Social institutions,OECD-GID database

Social Institutions, Gender Inequality, and Regional Convergence in Developing Countries

This book contributes to the understanding of gender and regional inequalities in developing countries. First, it deals with social institutions related to gender inequality and proposes new composite indices to measure them. Using these indices, some interesting empirical connections between social institutions related to gender inequality and several relevant development outcomes are examined at the cross-country level. The second part of the book is concerned with the historical development of another type of inequality which is relevant for developing countries: inequality between regions. The topic of regional convergence in Colombia during the last quarter of the 20th century is analyzed using different approaches and focusing on both income and social indicators

Why do so few women in Bolivia opt for IT careers and what can we do to change this situation?

The academic literature has documented several projects aimed to increase gender diversity in IT majors, but very little research has been conducted and published in the context of Latin American countries. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that influence career choice in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors with an emphasis in Information Technology (IT) majors in Bolivia, a country in South America. Departing from extensive literature available on the subject at the international level, this study aims to shed light on the reasons why in Bolivian women choose IT majors less than men. Five of the six possible reasons highlighted in the international literature are contrasted through a mixed research approach with the Bolivian Case. These are (i) cognitive abilities, (ii) relative cognitive strengths, (iii) occupational interests or preferences, (iv) lifestyle values or work-family balance preferences, ( v) beliefs of specific skills in the field of study, and (vi) stereotypes and prejudices related to gender. The qualitative research stage consisted of: (i) 20 semi-structured interviews with experts, mainly university professors in the La Paz metropolitan area, as well as employers; and (ii) two focus groups of university students from the first year. The authors will share the preliminary results of the study

Factors associated with contraceptive use in rural Nepal: Gender and decision-making.

INTRODUCTION: Gender norms and roles influence many decisions related to reproductive health behaviours including contraceptive use. There are very few studies related to gender norms and decision-making in contraceptive use in Nepal, hence this paper addresses these issues in a quantitative study. METHODS: A secondary data analysis of a primary study conducted in 2012 as a quantitative cross-sectional study in four villages of a hilly district in Nepal. This study included data that were collected from either the woman or the man in 440 couples of childbearing age with at least one child. The secondary analysis included (adjusted) regression analysis to investigate factors associated with contraception use with the variables of interest being gender roles and decision-making, whilst considering demographic and socio-economic controls. RESULTS: The secondary data analysis found gender roles were associated with current/ever use of contraceptives as reported by the respondents. Socio-economic factors such as husband's and wife's education and gender roles such as indicators showing sharing of childcare responsibilities affected contraceptive use positively. However, decision making regarding contraceptive use was not found to be associated with current/ever use of contraceptives. CONCLUSION: Gender has a role in the use of contraceptive, however decision-making may not be associated with contraceptive use. Educational, health promotional and family planning programmes are recommended to promote use of contraceptives. It is important that husbands get involved in these programmes to encourage discussions related to contraceptive use

Marine Incursion: The Freshwater Herring of Lake Tanganyika Are the Product of a Marine Invasion into West Africa

The spectacular marine-like diversity of the endemic fauna of Lake Tanganyika, the oldest of the African Great Lakes, led early researchers to suggest that the lake must have once been connected to the ocean. Recent geophysical reconstructions clearly indicate that Lake Tanganyika formed by rifting in the African subcontinent and was never directly linked to the sea. Although the Lake has a high proportion of specialized endemics, the absence of close relatives outside Tanganyika has complicated phylogeographic reconstructions of the timing of lake colonization and intralacustrine diversification. The freshwater herring of Lake Tanganyika are members of a large group of pellonuline herring found in western and southern Africa, offering one of the best opportunities to trace the evolutionary history of members of Tanganyika's biota. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that herring colonized West Africa 25–50MYA, at the end of a major marine incursion in the region. Pellonuline herring subsequently experienced an evolutionary radiation in West Africa, spreading across the continent and reaching East Africa's Lake Tanganyika during its early formation. While Lake Tanganyika has never been directly connected with the sea, the endemic freshwater herring of the lake are the descendents of an ancient marine incursion, a scenario which may also explain the origin of other Tanganyikan endemics