Skip to main content
Top

2020 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

2. Climate Change, Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment

Authors : Belinda Archibong, Francis Annan

Published in: Women and Sustainable Human Development

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to examine the role of climate-induced disease in widening the gender gap in human capital investment. This chapter reviews the literature on climate change, disease and gender gaps, and highlights evidence from a particular disease context—the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides evidence that changes in the seasonal climate, through the dry season or Harmattan period, are strongly associated with meningitis epidemics in the region. It discusses results from research on the role of Niger’s 1986 meningitis epidemic in reducing girls’ education relative to boys. It highlights the income effects of the epidemic and, specifically, early marriage of girls in exchange for a bride price as a primary mechanism driving the results. The findings underline the need for more research on the interaction between climate change, health and education and gender equality, all major parts of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
With details provided in the appendix.
 
3
Where epidemics are defined in the SSA context as greater than 100 cases per 100,000 population nationally within a year by the World Health Organization (WHO) (LaForce et al. 2009).
 
6
In contrast with the dowry system prevalent in India where the direction of payments goes from the bride’s family to the groom’s family.
 
7
Given strong positive associations between education and age at first marriage (Archibong and Annan 2018).
 
8
Though there is no sub-national record of epidemics available prior to 1986, historical records suggest that the last epidemic prior to 1986 occurred in 1979 in Niger (Yaka et al. 2008; Broome et al. 1983).
 
9
Calculated from WHO data.
 
10
With most migration consisting of young male seasonal migrants in the northern desert regions, travelling internationally to neighbouring countries for work during dry months (Afifi 2011).
 
11
Source: Author’s estimates from DHS data.
 
12
Niger is 98% Muslim, over 50% Hausa and has a majority poor, agricultural population. Source: US Department of State, CIA.
 
13
Source: UNICEF statistics.
 
14
MERRA-2 is an atmospheric reanalysis data product that assimilates historical observation data over an extended period. https://​disc.​sci.​gsfc.​nasa.​gov/​datasets.
 
15
Relative to the unconditional and conditional mean years of education respectively.
 
16
Hartmann-Mahmud (2011) documents this phenomenon in her case study research interviewing Nigerien women.
 
Literature
go back to reference Abdussalam, A. F., Monaghan, A. J., Steinhoff, D. F., Dukic, V. M., Hayden, M. H., Hopson, T. M., et al. (2014). The Impact of Climate Change on Meningitis in Northwest Nigeria: An Assessment Using CMIP5 Climate Model Simulations. Weather, Climate, and Society, 6(3), 371–379.CrossRef Abdussalam, A. F., Monaghan, A. J., Steinhoff, D. F., Dukic, V. M., Hayden, M. H., Hopson, T. M., et al. (2014). The Impact of Climate Change on Meningitis in Northwest Nigeria: An Assessment Using CMIP5 Climate Model Simulations. Weather, Climate, and Society, 6(3), 371–379.CrossRef
go back to reference Afifi, T. (2011). Economic or Environmental Migration? The Push Factors in Niger. International Migration, 49(s1), e95–e124.CrossRef Afifi, T. (2011). Economic or Environmental Migration? The Push Factors in Niger. International Migration, 49(s1), e95–e124.CrossRef
go back to reference Archibong, B., & Annan, F. (2017). Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment: Evidence from Niger’s 1986 Meningitis Epidemic. American Economic Review, 107(5), 530–535.CrossRef Archibong, B., & Annan, F. (2017). Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment: Evidence from Niger’s 1986 Meningitis Epidemic. American Economic Review, 107(5), 530–535.CrossRef
go back to reference Archibong, B., & Annan, F. (2018). Harmattan Winds, Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment. Working Paper. Archibong, B., & Annan, F. (2018). Harmattan Winds, Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment. Working Paper.
go back to reference Ashraf, N., Bau, N., Nunn, N., & Voena, A. (2016). Bride Price and Female Education. Technical Report National Bureau of Economic Research. Ashraf, N., Bau, N., Nunn, N., & Voena, A. (2016). Bride Price and Female Education. Technical Report National Bureau of Economic Research.
go back to reference Barro, R. J., & Lee, J. W. (2013). A New Data Set of Educational Attainment in the World, 1950–2010. Journal of Development Economics, 104, 184–198.CrossRef Barro, R. J., & Lee, J. W. (2013). A New Data Set of Educational Attainment in the World, 1950–2010. Journal of Development Economics, 104, 184–198.CrossRef
go back to reference Bartlett, S. (2008). Climate Change and Urban Children: Impacts and Implications for Adaptation in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. Environment and Urbanization, 20(2), 501–519.CrossRef Bartlett, S. (2008). Climate Change and Urban Children: Impacts and Implications for Adaptation in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. Environment and Urbanization, 20(2), 501–519.CrossRef
go back to reference Björkman-Nyqvist, Martina. (2013). Income Shocks and Gender Gaps in Education: Evidence from Uganda. Journal of Development Economics, 105, 237–253.CrossRef Björkman-Nyqvist, Martina. (2013). Income Shocks and Gender Gaps in Education: Evidence from Uganda. Journal of Development Economics, 105, 237–253.CrossRef
go back to reference Broome, C. V., Rugh, M. A., Yada, A. A., Giat, L. V., Giat, H., Zeltner, J. M., et al. (1983). Epidemic Group C Meningococcal Meningitis in Upper Volta, 1979. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 61(2), 325. Broome, C. V., Rugh, M. A., Yada, A. A., Giat, L. V., Giat, H., Zeltner, J. M., et al. (1983). Epidemic Group C Meningococcal Meningitis in Upper Volta, 1979. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 61(2), 325.
go back to reference Cho, R. (2014). How Climate Change Is Exacerbating the Spread of Disease. Technical Report. Cho, R. (2014). How Climate Change Is Exacerbating the Spread of Disease. Technical Report.
go back to reference Corno, L., Hildebrandt, N., Voena, A., et al. (2016). Weather Shocks, Age of Marriage and the Direction of Marriage Payments. Unpublished Manuscript. Corno, L., Hildebrandt, N., Voena, A., et al. (2016). Weather Shocks, Age of Marriage and the Direction of Marriage Payments. Unpublished Manuscript.
go back to reference Corno, L., & Voena, A. (2015). Selling Daughters: Age of Marriage, Income Shocks and Bride Price Tradition. Rockwool Foundation Research Unit. Corno, L., & Voena, A. (2015). Selling Daughters: Age of Marriage, Income Shocks and Bride Price Tradition. Rockwool Foundation Research Unit.
go back to reference Dercon, S., & Krishnan, P. (2000). In Sickness and In Health: Risk Sharing Within Households in Rural Ethiopia. Journal of Political Economy, 108(4), 688–727.CrossRef Dercon, S., & Krishnan, P. (2000). In Sickness and In Health: Risk Sharing Within Households in Rural Ethiopia. Journal of Political Economy, 108(4), 688–727.CrossRef
go back to reference Epstein, P. R. (2000). Is Global Warming Harmful to Health? Scientific American, 283(2), 50–57.CrossRef Epstein, P. R. (2000). Is Global Warming Harmful to Health? Scientific American, 283(2), 50–57.CrossRef
go back to reference Glewwe, P., & Miguel, E. A. (2007). The Impact of Child Health and Nutrition on Education in Less Developed Countries. Handbook of Development Economics, 4, 3561–3606.CrossRef Glewwe, P., & Miguel, E. A. (2007). The Impact of Child Health and Nutrition on Education in Less Developed Countries. Handbook of Development Economics, 4, 3561–3606.CrossRef
go back to reference Hartmann-Mahmud, L. (2011). Pounding Millet During School Hours: Obstacles to Girls? Formal Education in Niger. The European Journal of Development Research, 23(3), 354–370.CrossRef Hartmann-Mahmud, L. (2011). Pounding Millet During School Hours: Obstacles to Girls? Formal Education in Niger. The European Journal of Development Research, 23(3), 354–370.CrossRef
go back to reference Hoogeveen, J., Van der Klaauw, B., & Van Lomwel, G. (2011). On the Timing of Marriage, Cattle, and Shocks. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 60(1), 121–154.CrossRef Hoogeveen, J., Van der Klaauw, B., & Van Lomwel, G. (2011). On the Timing of Marriage, Cattle, and Shocks. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 60(1), 121–154.CrossRef
go back to reference LaForce, F. M., Ravenscroft, N., Djingarey, M., & Viviani, S. (2009). Epidemic Meningitis Due to Group A Neisseria Meningitidis in the African Meningitis Belt. Vaccine, 27, B13–B19.CrossRef LaForce, F. M., Ravenscroft, N., Djingarey, M., & Viviani, S. (2009). Epidemic Meningitis Due to Group A Neisseria Meningitidis in the African Meningitis Belt. Vaccine, 27, B13–B19.CrossRef
go back to reference Loaiza Sr, E., & Wong, S. (2012). Marrying Too Young. End Child Marriage. UNFPA Report. Loaiza Sr, E., & Wong, S. (2012). Marrying Too Young. End Child Marriage. UNFPA Report.
go back to reference Institute of Development Studies, & Brody, A. (2008). Gender and Climate Change: Mapping the Linkages—A Scoping Study on Knowledge and Gaps. Institute of Development Studies. Institute of Development Studies, & Brody, A. (2008). Gender and Climate Change: Mapping the Linkages—A Scoping Study on Knowledge and Gaps. Institute of Development Studies.
go back to reference Perez Garcia Pando, C., Stanton, M. C., Diggle, P. J., Trzaska, S., Miller, R. L., Perlwitz, J. P., Baldasano, J.´e. M., Cuevas, E., Ceccato, P., Yaka, P., et al. (2014a). Soil Dust Aerosols and Wind as Predictors of Seasonal Meningitis Incidence in Niger. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(7), 679–686.CrossRef Perez Garcia Pando, C., Stanton, M. C., Diggle, P. J., Trzaska, S., Miller, R. L., Perlwitz, J. P., Baldasano, J.´e. M., Cuevas, E., Ceccato, P., Yaka, P., et al. (2014a). Soil Dust Aerosols and Wind as Predictors of Seasonal Meningitis Incidence in Niger. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(7), 679–686.CrossRef
go back to reference Perez Garcia Pando, C., Thomson, M. C., Stanton, M. C., Diggle, P. J., Hopson, T., Pandya, R., et al. (2014b). Meningitis and Climate: From Science to Practice. Earth Perspectives, 1(1), 14.CrossRef Perez Garcia Pando, C., Thomson, M. C., Stanton, M. C., Diggle, P. J., Hopson, T., Pandya, R., et al. (2014b). Meningitis and Climate: From Science to Practice. Earth Perspectives, 1(1), 14.CrossRef
go back to reference Pradhan, E. K., West, K. P., Katz, J., LeClerq, S. C., Khatry, S. K., & Shrestha, S. R. (2007). Risk of Flood-Related Mortality in Nepal. Disasters, 31(1), 57–70.CrossRef Pradhan, E. K., West, K. P., Katz, J., LeClerq, S. C., Khatry, S. K., & Shrestha, S. R. (2007). Risk of Flood-Related Mortality in Nepal. Disasters, 31(1), 57–70.CrossRef
go back to reference Rajaraman, I. (1983). Economics of Bride-Price and Dowry. Economic and Political Weekly, 18(8), 275–279. Rajaraman, I. (1983). Economics of Bride-Price and Dowry. Economic and Political Weekly, 18(8), 275–279.
go back to reference Schultz, T. P. (2002). Why Governments Should Invest More to Educate Girls. World Development, 30(2), 207–225.CrossRef Schultz, T. P. (2002). Why Governments Should Invest More to Educate Girls. World Development, 30(2), 207–225.CrossRef
go back to reference Sultan, B., Labadi, K., Gu´egan, J.-F.¸c., & Janicot, S. (2005). Climate Drives the Meningitis Epidemics Onset in West Africa. PLoS Medicine, 2(1), e6.CrossRef Sultan, B., Labadi, K., Gu´egan, J.-F.¸c., & Janicot, S. (2005). Climate Drives the Meningitis Epidemics Onset in West Africa. PLoS Medicine, 2(1), e6.CrossRef
go back to reference UN Women, United Nations, et al. (2015). Progress of the World’s Women 2015–2016: Transforming Economies, Realizing Rights. Technical Report. UN Women, United Nations, et al. (2015). Progress of the World’s Women 2015–2016: Transforming Economies, Realizing Rights. Technical Report.
go back to reference Wendo, C. (2004). African Women Denounce Bride Price. Lancet, 363(9410), 716.CrossRef Wendo, C. (2004). African Women Denounce Bride Price. Lancet, 363(9410), 716.CrossRef
go back to reference World Health Organization, et al. (2014). Gender, Climate Change and Health. World Health Organization. World Health Organization, et al. (2014). Gender, Climate Change and Health. World Health Organization.
go back to reference Wu, X., Lu, Y., Zhou, S., Chen, L., & Xu, B. (2016). Impact of Climate Change on Human Infectious Diseases: Empirical Evidence and Human Adaptation. Environment International, 86, 14–23.CrossRef Wu, X., Lu, Y., Zhou, S., Chen, L., & Xu, B. (2016). Impact of Climate Change on Human Infectious Diseases: Empirical Evidence and Human Adaptation. Environment International, 86, 14–23.CrossRef
go back to reference Yaka, P., Sultan, B., Broutin, H., Janicot, S., Philippon, S., & Fourquet, N. (2008). Relationships Between Climate and Year-to-Year Variability in Meningitis Outbreaks: A Case Study in Burkina Faso and Niger. International Journal of Health Geographics, 7(1), 34.CrossRef Yaka, P., Sultan, B., Broutin, H., Janicot, S., Philippon, S., & Fourquet, N. (2008). Relationships Between Climate and Year-to-Year Variability in Meningitis Outbreaks: A Case Study in Burkina Faso and Niger. International Journal of Health Geographics, 7(1), 34.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Climate Change, Disease and Gender Gaps in Human Capital Investment
Authors
Belinda Archibong
Francis Annan
Copyright Year
2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14935-2_2