The impact of gender discrimination on poverty in Brazil

This paper analyses the effects of gender discrimination on poverty in Brazil between 1992 and 2001, using data obtained from the National Household Survey. A counterfactual distribution of per capita household income was estimated, based on a hypothetical scenario in which the labour market pays equal wages to men and women in accordance with their qualifications. The results show that, when gender discrimination is eliminated, the percentage of poor persons tends to decline by an average of 10%. Results were even more striking among the most vulnerable segments of the population, such as members of households headed by black women who lack a formal employment contract or union membership.