Work

Education, marriage, and banning female genital cutting: evidence from Benin

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Using the 2003 ban of female genital cutting in Benin as a natural experiment, I estimate the effect of the ban on women’s human capital accumulation. The ban decreases the likelihood of a woman undergoing genital cutting despite inconsistent enforcement. Banning female genital cutting has a counter-intuitive effect on women’s education. A difference-in-differences estimation indicates that the ban decreases women’s years of education, the probability of completing primary school, and the probability of starting secondary school. I show that the decrease in educational outcomes is accompanied by an increase in marriage and increased spousal match quality. The negative effect on women’s education dissipates following the implementation of free primary education in Benin.

Source: Journal of Population Economics

DOI: 10.1007/s00148-026-01172-0

Author: Coleson Weir

Institution: University of Notre Dame

Language: English

Topic: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Quality education, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190