VoxDev Development Economics

Stigma, shame and social norms around menstruation can prevent women and girls managing their periods with dignity and hygiene in low-income settings. So how can we provide information, influence those norms, and change behaviour to improve women’s health and well-being? Silvia Castro of LMU Munich and Kristina Czura of University of Groningen have conducted extensive field research in Bangladesh and other countries.  They tell Tim Phillips how we can reduce the stigma and taboo around menstruation and give women and girls the information they need at home, at school, and at work.  Read about Silvia’s work on VoxDev: https://voxdev.org/topic/health/breaking-silence-advancing-health-technology-adoption-through-open-discourse

Amber Peterman, a UNICEF staff member and edutainment advocate, discusses the transformative power of storytelling in reducing violence against women and children. She shares insights from her recent review that highlights how engaging narratives can challenge harmful practices like FGM and child marriage. Peterman explores successful interventions in countries like Vietnam and Senegal, demonstrating edutainment's potential to shift community norms and promote pro-social behavior. The conversation reveals both the effectiveness and challenges of utilizing entertainment as a tool for social change.

Cátia Batista, a Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics, and Caroline Theoharides, an Assistant Professor at Amherst College, challenge the traditional view of migration. They explore how skilled emigration might lead to 'brain gain' for home countries through investments in education and remittances. The discussion highlights the transformative role of diaspora networks in boosting economies, the impact of return migration, and the policies needed to harness these benefits. Their insights reshape our understanding of the effects of talent migration.

Lucas Conwell, a UCL researcher focused on urban transit in developing countries, shares insights on Cape Town's public minibus networks. He highlights how these chaotic systems can be optimized with minimal policy tweaks. By mapping passenger experiences, Lucas reveals the potential for reduced wait times and enhanced security. He discusses the unique role of privatized shared transit in connecting urban centers with suburbs, as well as the challenges commuters face. Overall, small interventions could significantly improve the efficiency and safety of minibuses.

This week on VoxDev talks we have two special episodes recorded at the 5th annual STEG conference. STEG is a research initiative that aims to provide a better understanding of structural change, productivity, and growth in low- and middle-income countries.  For many economies in the Global South, fossil fuel extraction has been both a blessing and a curse. Nowhere more so than Nigeria, where oil production generates huge revenues, but also creates an environmental and social burden for the people who live in oil producing regions. Arinze Nwokolo of Lagos Business School has investigated one aspect of this burden: how gas flaring that occurs as part of the oil production process affects local agriculture. He talks to Tim Phillips about the dramatic impact it has on agricultural productivity, and how the policy alternatives can change those outcomes. Read the full show notes on VoxDev: https://voxdev.org/topic/energy-environment/gas-flaring-threatens-agriculture-and-livelihoods-nigeria Find out more about STEG at https://steg.cepr.org

Chatib Basri, an economist and former finance minister of Indonesia, dives into the nation's ambitious 'Golden Indonesia' vision aimed at becoming one of the world's largest economies by 2045. He discusses the dangers of relying on commodity exports and the pressing need for industrial policies to diversify the economy. Basri highlights Indonesia's challenges like an aging population and the shift to informal employment while advocating for strategies that bolster manufacturing. He also tackles the controversial nickel export ban and its implications for local growth.

Mark Rosenzweig, a Yale economist known for his insights on global farming, joins Christopher Udry, who focuses on sub-Saharan rural economies, and Gérardine Mukeshimana, former Minister of Agriculture in Rwanda. They delve into the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa, discussing low productivity and land tenure issues. The trio examines the balance between small and large farms, emphasizing innovation and targeted policies to enhance agricultural efficiency. They advocate for integrating small farms into value chains while addressing climate change and inequality.

Ben Piper, the Director of Global Education at the Gates Foundation, discusses critical challenges in education at the Education World Forum. He highlights that foundational learning is essential amid global funding cuts, offering cost-effective solutions. Piper emphasizes that increased attendance doesn't guarantee better learning, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. He calls for urgent policy changes and investment in resources, stressing collaboration between governments and philanthropic organizations to foster strong educational outcomes.

Alysson Portella, an economist at Insper specializing in inequality and labor economics, discusses Brazil's impressive reduction in income inequality from 1995 to 2015. He explains the effective policies that contributed to this change, contrasting Brazil's progress with rising inequality in high-income countries. Portella highlights the rise of a new middle class and challenges in policy implementation and evaluation. He examines the intricate factors impacting wage structures, labor market responses to education, and the effects of affirmative action.

David Yanagizawa-Drott, a researcher at the University of Zurich and founder of the Social Catalyst Lab, discusses the dual-edge sword of AI's potential in developing economies. He explores the widening tech gap between rich and poor nations and how AI could revolutionize healthcare and education, yet may also exacerbate existing disparities. Through a Ghanaian project, he examines AI in job recruitment, stressing the need for ethical oversight. Finally, he advocates for mission-driven efforts in AI policy, particularly to address pressing challenges like youth unemployment.