Powerful Women: Does Exposure Reduce Bias?*

Lori Beaman; Raghabendra Chattopadhyay; Esther Duflo; Rohini Pande; Petia Topalova

doi:10.1162/qjec.2009.124.4.1497

Quarterly Journal of Economics Vol. 124 No. 4 2009

Powerful Women: Does Exposure Reduce Bias?*

Lori Beaman¹; Raghabendra Chattopadhyay²; Esther Duflo³; Rohini Pande⁴; Petia Topalova⁵

¹ Northwestern University · ² Indian Institute of Management Calcutta · ³ National Bureau of Economic Research · ⁴ Harvard University · ⁵ International Monetary Fund

Abstract

We exploit random assignment of gender quotas for leadership positions on Indian village councils to show that prior exposure to a female leader is associated with electoral gains for women. After ten years of quotas, women are more likely to stand for, and win, elected positions in councils required to have a female chief councilor in the previous two elections. We provide experimental and survey evidence on one channel of influence—changes in voter attitudes. Prior exposure to a female chief councilor improves perceptions of female leader effectiveness and weakens stereotypes about gender roles in the public and domestic spheres.

DOI: 10.1162/qjec.2009.124.4.1497
Volume: 124
Issue: 4
Pages: 1497-1540
Language: en
Sources: bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref openalex

Powerful Women: Does Exposure Reduce Bias?*

Abstract

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