Published on May 12, 2026 – Updated on May 12, 2026
Location
Pôle Tertiaire - Site La Rotonde - 26 avenue Léon Blum - 63000 Clermont-Ferrand
Room Pascal - 313

PhD defence. Assessing local public policies in India: gender budgeting and federalism in focus


Cheick Amadou Camara
Université Clermont Auvergne, CERDI

Examiners

Bertrand Laporte, Professor, CERDI/UCA-CNRS-IRD
Émilie Caldeira, Associate Professor, CERDI/UCA-CNRS-IRD
Grégoire Rota-Graziosi, Professeur des universités, CERDI/UCA-CNRS-IRD
Michael Keen, Chercheur Associé, Tokyo College
Francesca Marchetta, Associate Professor, CERDI/UCA-CNRS-IRD
Anabela Santos, Fellow researcher, ULB-TIMES
Pierre-Guillaume Meon, Professor, ULB-DULBEA
Martial Foucault, Professor, Sciences Po (CEVIPOF)

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between fiscal federalism, conflict dynamics, and gender inequality in India. The first part investigates how subnational fiscal autonomy shapes the intensity of different types of conflicts and its subsequent impact on women's empowerment. Findings suggest that while autonomy can mitigate secessionist and resource-based violence, it may reinforce traditional gender hierarchies unless accompanied by increased female political influence. The second part evaluates the impact of Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) on public spending and institutional efficiency. Using impact evaluation methods, the research shows that states implementing GRB successfully reallocate funds toward education and infrastructure. Furthermore, GRB enhances the efficiency of health expenditures, leading to tangible micro-level benefits such as reduced pregnancy loss, broader health insurance coverage, and a shift in social norms regarding domestic violence.

Keywords

Decentralization, efficiency, transparency, fiscal policy, ethnic conflicts, gender equality. 

https://theses.fr/s362977