ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of indoor piped drinking water (IPDW) on gender disparities in employment and health in India, using panel data from the India Human Development Survey (2005–2012). Employing a differences‐in‐differences (DID) model with heterogeneous treatment effects, the analysis reveals that IPDW access increases rural women's wage/salary employment by 2.9 percentage points and their annual earnings by 23.5%. In contrast, no significant effect is observed for urban women. Health improvements are also documented, particularly for rural poor women, while reductions in morbidity are more prominent among urban non‐poor individuals. The findings underscore the critical role of IPDW in alleviating the disproportionate burden on women in rural areas, enhancing their economic opportunities and health. This study advocates for prioritizing IPDW as a key element in public policies aimed at reducing gender inequalities and improving household welfare in developing economies.
Ashish Sedai (Fri,) studied this question.