Abstract

Major statistical surveys have shown a significant relationship between women's education and their fertility levels and children's health. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, this relationship is not obvious among literate women or those educated at the primary level. Indeed, for some indicators, it is even negative. This project will identify the changes attributable to education and determine how they function and are manifested in women's fertility and the health of their children. It will also shed light on limits to such changes and the conditions required for the optimal use of acquired knowledge. Two types of research strategy will be used. At the quantitative level, researchers will use demographic-survey data gathered by the Unité d'enseignement et de recherche en démographie (UERD), which is part of the Centre d'études, de documentation, de recherches économiques et sociales (CEDRES). At the qualitative level, they will conduct in-depth interviews with a population sample from previous surveys to analyze the different aspects of women's status using a gender-based approach. The data from two differently organized social groups will be examined. In each, women with a certain level of education will be compared to those in a control group. The results of this study will make it possible to better understand the impact of education on the status of women and their reproductive strategies, and to develop an explanatory framework for these effects. They will also be used to help decision-makers develop better-targeted education policies.

Recipient Institution(s)