Women Heads of State and Covid-19 Policy Responses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anecdotal media reports suggest that countries led by women politicians have had better outcomes from combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper systematizes the evidence by using data on the presence of women heads of state and COVID-19 related infection and death rates in 144 countries. The regression results show that: (1) there is a negative and statistically significant correlation between COVID-19 outcomes and the presence of a woman head of state; (2) there is no evidence that countries led by women responded faster than countries led by men in implementing social distancing measures to “flatten” the infection curve; and (3) countries led by women have a higher rate of universal healthcare coverage than countries led by men; if the countries led by men had comparable levels of investment in a widely available healthcare system, their outcomes from fighting the pandemic would be similar. HIGHLIGHTS Countries with women heads of state report fewer cases and deaths related to COVID-19. These states also have higher rates of universal healthcare coverage. Women’s preferences for public spending on healthcare made these countries better prepared for the pandemic. There is no evidence that women leaders were faster to implement social distancing measures. Countries led by men could have similar outcomes with investment in higher healthcare coverage.