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Women Empowerment, Parental Education and Future Human Capital Formation (Evidences from Urban Slum Area in India)

Author

Listed:
  • Simontini Das

    (Jadavpur University, Department of Economics)

  • Bidisha Chakraborty

    (Jadavpur University, Department of Economics)

Abstract

The paper examines the impact of women’s empowerment on human capital formation in Kolkata’s urban slums, focusing on education and health. A composite Women Empowerment Index comprising legal and political, interpersonal, socio-cultural, and economic dimensions is constructed. The estimation of Heckman Selection model shows that composite women empowerment index, its different dimensions, decision-making ability regarding children’s schooling and women’s financial independence have the positive significant effects on school enrollment and school going behavior of the children. These effects are stronger for female child than male child. Regarding health outcomes, estimations of probit models reveal that the probability of having a well-nourished child increases with the rise in mothers’ empowerment status, irrespective of the child's gender. Additionally, the incidence of chronic malnutrition among urban slum in Kolkata declines as mothers’ empowerment improves. A cross-dimensional analysis confirms that mothers’ autonomy in the socio-cultural dimension has the strongest positive effect on school enrolment decision and children’s overall nutrition level. Other control variables—like monthly per capita household income, parental education levels and cohabiting behavior of parents—significantly improve the educational outcome of the children.

Suggested Citation

  • Simontini Das & Bidisha Chakraborty, 2026. "Women Empowerment, Parental Education and Future Human Capital Formation (Evidences from Urban Slum Area in India)," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 24(1), pages 127-177, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jqecon:v:24:y:2026:i:1:d:10.1007_s40953-025-00469-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s40953-025-00469-3
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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