The visible and invisible dimensions of gender inequality in the Global South. Three essays on time use, mental load, and depression.

This thesis investigates gender inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. Even though the topic has been largely analyzed in the literature, the main novelty of this work is the focus on the invisible dimension of these inequalities. Exploiting longitudinal, satellite, and experimental data, this thesis analyzes causes and consequences of three important dimensions of gender inequalities: the unequal division of time between spouses; mental load (the management behind household activities); and depression. What emerges is that exogenous shocks can positively challenge the unequal allocation of time between domestic and market activities within the household, leading women to engage more in income-generating activities and increasing their empowerment. However, if not paired with a more gender-equal division of roles in the household, an increased participation in the labor market risks enhancing mental load, which in turn reduces women's labor productivity and increases the likelihood of choosing a less cognitively demanding, and less remunerative job. Especially in low-income contexts, the burden of mental load is strictly correlated with mental disorders such as anxiety, chronic stress, or depression. Suffering from depression affects economic preferences and leads women to alter their health and saving behaviors in ways that could be detrimental in the long-run. Ultimately, this thesis shows that these dimensions of gender inequalities are more interconnected than they appear in reality, and that they need to be addressed jointly to better understand their persistence worldwide.