Do parents favour boys? Evidence from schooling in Guinea- Bissau

Abstract

This study is conducted in the Capital of Guinea-Bissau. The research analyzes gender bias in education on ethnicity, religion and income. An exogenous shock at household level on food security is used for income. OLS and Fixed Effect models are estimated among four different age groups. Findings show the absence of gender gap in primary education, however opposite results emerge for older girls. The hypothesis behind this difference is the extension of compulsory education from 6th to 9th grade which is supported by the findings. The main conclusions shed light to the role of formal Institutions in correcting gender bias.