Exploring Gender Oriented Policies and their Multiplier effects: An empirical exercise with NextGenerationEU funds

Abstract

Gender inequality is a matter of concern in our society nowadays. In this paper we focus on gender policies to give some light on how gender equality and the reduction of gender gap might be implemented and achieved. To this aim, we develop a methodological framework based on a multisectoral model computed on the basis of a disaggregated Social Accounting Matrix. In short, we analyse whether alternative gender-oriented allocation rules of NextGenerationEU funds might impact in terms of multiplier effects on a European regional economy, as a counterfactual analysis of the currently approved baseline distribution. After defining several simulation scenarios, we assess the impact on different educational level groups by gender, as well as their implications in terms of output. Our results reveal that gender-oriented budget policies might positively contribute to reduce gender inequality and report relevant multiplier effects for the overall society that deserve to be explored.