Extracting inequality : industrial mining and women's household bargaining power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the mining industry on women's household bargaining power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By integrating survey data with time-varied data on mining operations within the DRC, I find a negative effect of active mining on women's bargaining power among households. When the mine operated, women residing within 10-kilometer buffer have less decision-making rights over the money spend and family visit. They are less likely to refuse the sex or to negotiate condom use. The deteriorating decision-making right is associated with the lack of economic opportunities for women, which may increase their dependence on their male partner, and consequently lead to an inferior family status.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Supervisor	Li HAN (Supervisor)