Gender inequality, women's human capital and female suicide in selected MENA countries

This paper examines the relationships between gender inequality, women's human capital and female suicide in MENA countries. The study uses a panel of seven MENA countries over the period 2000–2019. The analysis uses Driscoll-Kraay standard error regression and bootstrap-corrected dynamic fixed effects. Women's human capital is decomposed into women's health and education. The findings indicate that gender inequality significantly increases female suicide and that this effect is likely to be U-shaped. The analysis of gender inequality determinants reveals that both women's education and health significantly contribute to reducing gender inequality. However, the analysis of interactions suggests that only women's health is a plausible and effective way to address the impact of gender inequality on female suicide in MENA. These findings underscore the need for policies that promote women's education and improve women's health in the agenda to address female suicide in MENA.