This thesis explores the intersection of gender dynamics, economic activities, and development outcomes across three chapters. The first chapter, "Cash Is Queen," investigates the impact of unconditional cash transfers on women in ultra-poor Nigerian households, highlighting improvements in entrepreneurship and economic growth. The second chapter, "Sowing Change," uncovers significant productivity gaps between male and female smallholder farmers in Nigerian agriculture. Analysis of high-frequency data reveals disparities in labor access, returns, and time allocation across regions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities. The final chapter, "Breadwinners and Caregivers," examines global gender norms’ influence on economic behaviors through a comprehensive analysis across 111 countries. It illuminates how societal expectations impact labor force participation, household decision-making, and opportunities for economic empowerment. Together, these chapters stress the importance of integrating gender perspectives into economic policy-making and development initiatives, advocating for inclusive strategies that promote both economic growth and gender equality as mutually reinforcing goals in global development efforts.