ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the available evidence on the gender asset and wealth gaps, gender biases in how assets are acquired, and whether women's ownership of assets makes a difference to well-being outcomes for women and their children. There is mounting evidence on men’s and women’s asset ownership in the Global South: what they own, their property rights, and the form of ownership. Irrespective of the criteria used to identify asset owners, there is evidence of widespread gender inequality. Couples are more successful than individuals in accessing credit for asset acquisition; among individuals, the gender gap favors men. Eligibility criteria such as collateral are barriers to accessing credit for both men and women. Women’s asset ownership has positive effects on children’s welfare. Cultural, social and religious norms that structure gender power relations may explain the varying association between women’s asset ownership and intimate partner violence and other measures of women’s well-being.
