In this month of Mozambican women, whose day is marked on April 7, it is appropriate to highlight voices that have helped to debate the role of women in the economy. Among them is Esther Duflo.
Esther Duflo’s work has shaped the discussion on gender equality and poverty, one of the perennial debates in Mozambique. There are unequal opportunities for men at all levels, including training and access to finance.
The author has written mainly about developing countries and argues that gender inequality is not just a question of social justice, it is an obstacle to economic development. Investing in women’s education and ensuring their active participation in the economy generates long-term benefits, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable growth.
One of her main studies explored the relationship between female emancipation and financial decisions in low-income families. The results indicated that women with greater autonomy invest more in their children’s health and education, breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. This idea finds parallels in Mozambique, where women are often responsible for the household, but are denied access to finance, land and formal employment opportunities.
opportunities.
Practical application and challenges
Esther Duflo’s ideas have been applied through microcredit policies and income transfer programs, initiatives that have improved women’s economic inclusion in several countries, but not always in the same way. In some regions, cultural resistance and the persistence of patriarchal norms have limited the influence of the measures. In the case of Mozambique, solutions adapted to the local context are needed, combining economic incentives with social interventions. The benefits of access to technology for women’s economic autonomy has been one of the new fields of study inspired by Duflo’s research. Digital inclusion, with financial services platforms, can be the gateway to opportunities in the job market, promoting entrepreneurship without the physical barriers that traditionally limit them.
One of Esther Duflo’s main studies concluded that women who have greater economic autonomy invest more in their children’s health and education
Quotas in the labor market
Another relevant point in Duflo’s arguments is the need for public policies that encourage gender equality in the formal labor market.
Initiatives such as quotas for women in leadership positions and tax incentives for companies that promote diversity can be effective strategies. Mozambique can follow the example of countries that have implemented such policies and achieved positive results in terms of inclusion, such as the Seychelles, among others.
A brilliant trajectory
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to three people. The only woman is Esther Duflo, who was awarded the prize alongside Michael Kremer and Abhijt Banerjee. At the time 46 years old, the economist was the second woman to win the prize in this field (previously, only Elinor Ostrom had won the award in 2009).
Duflo’s most famous title, translated into 17 languages (“The Economics of the Poor: Radically Rethinking the Fight Against Global Poverty”), reflects her extensive production dedicated to the study of poverty and public policies to mitigate it. Her work spans finance, health, governance and education, and has led her to win numerous important awards. Her research on education and health has been carried out in various countries, including Ghana, Indonesia, India, Morocco and Kenya.
Lessons for Mozambique
For Mozambique to benefit from Esther Duflo’s thinking, it is essential to invest in female education, expand access to credit for women entrepreneurs and promote social protection programs. It is also essential that these actions are accompanied by an effort to change social norms that restrict women’s full participation in the economy. Esther Duflo demonstrates that gender equity is not just a moral issue, but a premise for economic development. It is an invitation to reflection and action in this month of Mozambican women: building a fairer and more productive economy depends on the full participation of women.
Emphasis on early childhood education
Ensuring inclusive, quality education with learning opportunities for all is one of the priorities Esther Duflo advocates, to be taken seriously by governments, and she suggests a way to achieve this: early childhood education. For the economist, the first stage of basic education not only brings great returns, but also prevents future problems. “There is a lot of work to be done. Of course, some of it has to happen at all levels of education, but the evidence suggests that successful investment in the early years can have an impact of varying proportions throughout life. And failures in these (early) years of education are difficult to recover from,” he said in the middle of last year, on the occasion of an international symposium on early childhood education held in Brazil.
Text: Celso Chambisso – Photo: D.R
