Addressing Gender-Based Segregation through Information: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in the Republic of Congo

Abstract

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.

What Works in Supporting Women-Led Businesses?

“…Factors correlated with entering male-dominated sectors include higher access to male mentorship (including spousal support), role models, and information (Goldstein et al 2019, LACGIL 2021. A recent field experiment in the Republic of Congo showed that providing young women with information on trade-specific earnings can shift their preferences toward male-dominated trades (Gassier et al 2022). Interventions that foster the participation of husbands, role models, or networking could have similar effects.…”