Zaki Wahhaj
Biographic Data
| ID | 1190469 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Zaki Wahhaj |
| GIVEN NAMES | Zaki |
| FAMILY NAME | Wahhaj |
| SIGNATURE | WAHHAJ Z |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Kent |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8285-7670 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 68 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Behind the Veil of Cultural Persistence: Marriage and Divorce in a Migrant Community
Arranged marriage with a spouse chosen in the country of origin is a persisting practice in many migrant communities. In this context, rather than being imposed by migrant parents on children, an arranged marriage is the outcome of a negotiation between them. Parents see this type of marriage as a vector of transmission of their identity to the next generation. Children resist because they are concerned about mutual compatibility with their futur…
Early effects of the Covid-19 lockdown on children in north-western Bangladesh
Using data collected through a structured telephone-based survey in north-western Bangladesh during the height of the pandemic, we present evidence on the effects of household specific shocks on rural children induced by the COVID-19 lockdowns. We focus on three child-related outcomes: time use of children during school closures, plans regarding children’s future schooling, and the incidence of child marriages. We find that respiratory illness an…
To invest or not to invest in sanitation: The role of intra-household gender differences in perceptions and bargaining power
We exploit novel data collected within a randomized controlled trial of a sanitation microcredit intervention to study how intra-household gender differences in perceptions of costs and benefits of sanitation impact investment decisions. We show that – as long as the wife is involved in household decision-making – the intra-household differences in perceptions we document influence borrowing and investments: uptake of the sanitation loan is highe…
Social barriers to female migration: Theory and evidence from Bangladesh
Traditional gender norms can restrict independent migration by women, thus preventing them from taking advantage of economic opportunities in urban areas. To explore this phenomenon, we develop a model in which women make marriage and migration decisions jointly. The model shows that, in response to a decline in the economic cost of migration, women may use marital migration to circumvent social barriers to female independent migration. To test t…
Child marriage, climate vulnerability and natural disasters in coastal Bangladesh
This study examined the nature and correlates of child marriage in eight villages in climate-affected coastal Bangladesh using a mixed-methods approach: focus group discussions and in-depth qualitative interviews of female victims of child marriage as well as quantitative data collected using structured interviews of households. More than two-thirds of the qualitative survey respondents had encountered at least one event of natural disaster befor…
Is son preference disappearing from Bangladesh
Early Marriage, Social Networks and the Transmission of Norms
We investigate whether female early marriage is a conduit for the transmission of social norms, specifically norms relating to gender roles and rights within the household. We exploit differences in age at menarche between sisters as an exogenous source of variation in marriage age. This approach allows us to control for beliefs and attitudes that are transmitted from parents to children. Using a sample of unmarried adolescents, we first show tha…
Will Urban Migrants Formally Insure Their Rural Relatives? Family Networks and Rainfall Index Insurance in Burkina Faso
Gender Bias in Bangladeshi School Textbooks: Not Just a Matter of Politics or Growing Influence of Islamists
In this essay, we critically reflect on the ongoing controversy over Islamization of textbooks by a secular government in Bangladesh. Based on a review of the emerging evidence on gender stereotypes in textbook contents, we argue that gender bias was widespread in government-recognized textbooks long before radical Islamic groups publicly demanded changes to the secular school curriculum. All Bangladeshi school textbooks continue to suffer from a…
Eradicating Child Marriage in the Commonwealth: Is Investment in Girls’ Education Sufficient
Commonwealth countries are well-known global hotspots for child marriage. Seven members – Bangladesh, India, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan and Uganda – belong to the global list of 20 co
Intra-Household Resource Allocation and Familial Ties
Repayment incentives and the distribution of gains from group lending
Elite capture through information distortion: A theoretical essay
Gender, Social Norms, and Household Production in Burkina Faso
Empirical studies of intrahousehold allocation have revealed that, in many instances, gender is an important determinant in the allocation of resources within the household. Yet, within the theoretical literature, why gender matters within the household remains an open question. In this article, we propose a simple model of intrahousehold allocation based on a particular social institution for the organization of agricultural production practiced…
Formal Law as a Magnet to Reform Custom
The question of the role of statutory law in social environments permeated by custom and traditional norms is particularly important when the statutory law aims to correct social inequalities embedded in the customs. The conventional view is that formal law often fails to take root in custom-driven societies, especially when the formal law conflicts with custom. We present a simple analytical model with elite members and commoners as contendants …
Microfinance and gender empowerment
Using the law to change the custom
Using the law to change the custom
Is son preference disappearing from Bangladesh
Elite capture through information distortion: A theoretical essay
Gender, Social Norms, and Household Production in Burkina Faso
Empirical studies of intrahousehold allocation have revealed that, in many instances, gender is an important determinant in the allocation of resources within the household. Yet, within the theoretical literature, why gender matters within the household remains an open question. In this article, we propose a simple model of intrahousehold allocation based on a particular social institution for the organization of agricultural production practiced…
Eradicating Child Marriage in the Commonwealth: Is Investment in Girls’ Education Sufficient
Commonwealth countries are well-known global hotspots for child marriage. Seven members – Bangladesh, India, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan and Uganda – belong to the global list of 20 co
Early Marriage, Social Networks and the Transmission of Norms
We investigate whether female early marriage is a conduit for the transmission of social norms, specifically norms relating to gender roles and rights within the household. We exploit differences in age at menarche between sisters as an exogenous source of variation in marriage age. This approach allows us to control for beliefs and attitudes that are transmitted from parents to children. Using a sample of unmarried adolescents, we first show tha…
Formal Law as a Magnet to Reform Custom
The question of the role of statutory law in social environments permeated by custom and traditional norms is particularly important when the statutory law aims to correct social inequalities embedded in the customs. The conventional view is that formal law often fails to take root in custom-driven societies, especially when the formal law conflicts with custom. We present a simple analytical model with elite members and commoners as contendants …
Microfinance and gender empowerment
To invest or not to invest in sanitation: The role of intra-household gender differences in perceptions and bargaining power
We exploit novel data collected within a randomized controlled trial of a sanitation microcredit intervention to study how intra-household gender differences in perceptions of costs and benefits of sanitation impact investment decisions. We show that – as long as the wife is involved in household decision-making – the intra-household differences in perceptions we document influence borrowing and investments: uptake of the sanitation loan is highe…
Social barriers to female migration: Theory and evidence from Bangladesh
Traditional gender norms can restrict independent migration by women, thus preventing them from taking advantage of economic opportunities in urban areas. To explore this phenomenon, we develop a model in which women make marriage and migration decisions jointly. The model shows that, in response to a decline in the economic cost of migration, women may use marital migration to circumvent social barriers to female independent migration. To test t…
Repayment incentives and the distribution of gains from group lending
Intra-Household Resource Allocation and Familial Ties
Microfinance and gender empowerment
Using the law to change the custom
Formal Law as a Magnet to Reform Custom
The question of the role of statutory law in social environments permeated by custom and traditional norms is particularly important when the statutory law aims to correct social inequalities embedded in the customs. The conventional view is that formal law often fails to take root in custom-driven societies, especially when the formal law conflicts with custom. We present a simple analytical model with elite members and commoners as contendants …
Repayment incentives and the distribution of gains from group lending
Elite capture through information distortion: A theoretical essay
Gender, Social Norms, and Household Production in Burkina Faso
Empirical studies of intrahousehold allocation have revealed that, in many instances, gender is an important determinant in the allocation of resources within the household. Yet, within the theoretical literature, why gender matters within the household remains an open question. In this article, we propose a simple model of intrahousehold allocation based on a particular social institution for the organization of agricultural production practiced…
Intra-Household Resource Allocation and Familial Ties
Eradicating Child Marriage in the Commonwealth: Is Investment in Girls’ Education Sufficient
Commonwealth countries are well-known global hotspots for child marriage. Seven members – Bangladesh, India, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan and Uganda – belong to the global list of 20 co
Will Urban Migrants Formally Insure Their Rural Relatives? Family Networks and Rainfall Index Insurance in Burkina Faso
Gender Bias in Bangladeshi School Textbooks: Not Just a Matter of Politics or Growing Influence of Islamists
In this essay, we critically reflect on the ongoing controversy over Islamization of textbooks by a secular government in Bangladesh. Based on a review of the emerging evidence on gender stereotypes in textbook contents, we argue that gender bias was widespread in government-recognized textbooks long before radical Islamic groups publicly demanded changes to the secular school curriculum. All Bangladeshi school textbooks continue to suffer from a…
Early Marriage, Social Networks and the Transmission of Norms
We investigate whether female early marriage is a conduit for the transmission of social norms, specifically norms relating to gender roles and rights within the household. We exploit differences in age at menarche between sisters as an exogenous source of variation in marriage age. This approach allows us to control for beliefs and attitudes that are transmitted from parents to children. Using a sample of unmarried adolescents, we first show tha…
Child marriage, climate vulnerability and natural disasters in coastal Bangladesh
This study examined the nature and correlates of child marriage in eight villages in climate-affected coastal Bangladesh using a mixed-methods approach: focus group discussions and in-depth qualitative interviews of female victims of child marriage as well as quantitative data collected using structured interviews of households. More than two-thirds of the qualitative survey respondents had encountered at least one event of natural disaster befor…
Is son preference disappearing from Bangladesh
Social barriers to female migration: Theory and evidence from Bangladesh
Traditional gender norms can restrict independent migration by women, thus preventing them from taking advantage of economic opportunities in urban areas. To explore this phenomenon, we develop a model in which women make marriage and migration decisions jointly. The model shows that, in response to a decline in the economic cost of migration, women may use marital migration to circumvent social barriers to female independent migration. To test t…
To invest or not to invest in sanitation: The role of intra-household gender differences in perceptions and bargaining power
We exploit novel data collected within a randomized controlled trial of a sanitation microcredit intervention to study how intra-household gender differences in perceptions of costs and benefits of sanitation impact investment decisions. We show that – as long as the wife is involved in household decision-making – the intra-household differences in perceptions we document influence borrowing and investments: uptake of the sanitation loan is highe…
Early effects of the Covid-19 lockdown on children in north-western Bangladesh
Using data collected through a structured telephone-based survey in north-western Bangladesh during the height of the pandemic, we present evidence on the effects of household specific shocks on rural children induced by the COVID-19 lockdowns. We focus on three child-related outcomes: time use of children during school closures, plans regarding children’s future schooling, and the incidence of child marriages. We find that respiratory illness an…
Behind the Veil of Cultural Persistence: Marriage and Divorce in a Migrant Community
Arranged marriage with a spouse chosen in the country of origin is a persisting practice in many migrant communities. In this context, rather than being imposed by migrant parents on children, an arranged marriage is the outcome of a negotiation between them. Parents see this type of marriage as a vector of transmission of their identity to the next generation. Children resist because they are concerned about mutual compatibility with their futur…
Economics (13 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Political science (10 works) · Demographic economics (8 works) · Psychology (7 works) · Economic growth (6 works) · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics (6 works) · Law (6 works) · Demography (5 works) · Microeconomics (5 works)