Gender-responsive social protection post–COVID-19

Abstract

Investment in gender-responsive social protection systems and evidence is key to a more equal future post–COVID-19

Effects of a single cash transfer on school re-enrollment during COVID-19 among vulnerable adolescent girls in Kenya: Randomized controlled trial

“…The combination of household inability to pay school fees (which are typically due at the start of each of the three school terms per year), potential prioritization of male schooling by households, and increased risk of pregnancy could hinder the return of adolescent girls, even in a setting with relatively high enrolment rates. This possibility echoes initial concern and later evidence regarding possible gender differentiated effects of the pandemic ( Akmal et al., 2020 ; Hidrobo et al., 2020 ; Gavrilovic et al., 2022 ). Akmal et al.…”

African governments must build on covid-19 responses to advance gender equality

“…30 37 38 Several African governments implemented cash transfers and food support programmes for informal workers (eg, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Cabo Verde, Togo) 12 21 36 37 or for vulnerable women directly (eg, Egypt, Senegal, and Kenya). 39 40 In Kenya, cash transfers helped female micro-entrepreneurs during the pandemic to maintain their livelihoods, keep or re-open their businesses, and increase their business profit. 41 In the Togolese cash transfer scheme, women were paid more than men because of the unequal care burden, and the cash transfers were shown to increase the use of healthcare services.…”

Social protection systems and gender: A review of the evidence

“…This literature notwithstanding, what is missing is a systems perspective on how these discrete programmes hang together to provide coverage across the life-course for a variety of gendered risks, vulnerabilities and inequalities -that is, What are the gendered effects of integration in a social protection system and how are these effects produced? (Peterman et al, 2020; see also Gavrilovic et al, 2022).…”

“…Kabeer et al, 2021; Seck et al, 2021) have motivated an unprecedented level of advocacy for immediate action at the ‘critical juncture’ opened up by the past 2 years around gender equality (Cook and Staab, 2022). Among the loudest demands is for investment in strengthening national social protection systems from a gender perspective (Gavrilovic et al, 2022; Heintz et al, 2021; UN Women, 2020). These calls emanate in spite of the remarkable pandemic-response investments in social assistance mechanisms (mostly cash transfers) made by governments around the world (Hale et al, 2021), including those that account for gender inequalities (UNDP and UN Women, 2021).…”