The Impact of a Conditional Cash Transfer on Multidimensional Deprivation of Young Women: Evidence from South Africa’s HTPN 068

Abstract

Despite the growing popularity of multidimensional poverty measurement and analysis, its use to measure the impact of social protection programs remains scarce. Using primary data collected for the evaluation of HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 068, a randomized, conditional cash transfer intervention for young girls in South Africa that ran from 2011 to 2015, we construct an individual-level measure of multidimensional poverty, a major departure from standard indices that use the household as the unit of analysis. We construct our measure by aggregating multiple deprivation indicators across six dimensions and using a system of nested weights where each domain is weighted equally. Our findings show that the cash transfer consistently reduces deprivations among girls, in particular through the domains of economic agency, violence, and relationships. These results show how social protection interventions can improve the lives of young women beyond single domains and demonstrate the potential for social protection to simultaneously address multiple targets of the SDGs.

Sexual-risk behaviours and HIV and syphilis prevalence among in- and out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Uganda: A cross-sectional study

“…In a synthesis of national representative Demographic and Health Surveys data from 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (covering the period between 2004 and 2015), Melesse et al [34] found that girls with less education (none or primary) initiated sex 2.2 years earlier, were married 4.4 years earlier and had their first child 2.5 years earlier than girls with secondary or higher education. These results re-affirm the need for integrated multidimensional interventions (including conditional and unconditional cash transfers, savings-led economic empowerment schemes, among others) that can help to not only keep girls in school but also help to improve their health outcomes [4,35,36].…”

A decade of Acceptability Research with Adolescents in Africa: Systematic review and evidence map

“…We categorised interventions assessed for acceptability both by type of intervention, based on their key components (see Figure 3), and stated objectives of the interventions (see Figure 4). In terms of type of intervention, interventions were classified as HIV or HPV vaccine interventions (10), E-health (10), HIV testing interventions (8), support group interventions (7), contraceptive interventions (6), voluntary medical male circumcision programs (VMMC) (4), school-based sexual and reproductive health education (4), economic support programs (4) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (2). Five studies did not fit into the above intervention categories and were grouped as ‘other’; they consisted respectively of nutritional therapy, a psychosocial - home based care intervention, a counselling support intervention to address substance abuse, cervical cancer screening and a rectal microbicide intervention for HIV prevention.…”

“…Most studies were conducted in Southern Africa, of which 32 jointly in South Africa and Uganda. The majority of interventions assessed for acceptability could be classified as HIV or HPV vaccine interventions (10), E-health (10), HIV testing interventions (8), support group interventions (7) and contraceptive interventions (6). The objectives of most interventions were linked to SDG3, specifically to HIV and sexual and reproductive health.…”

The Role of Gender-Targeted Cash Transfers in Increasing School Enrollment in Punjab, Pakistan

“…There exists ample literature highlighting the important role of CCT programs in eradiating financial constraints that affect school enrollment and dropout decisions (Adato et al 2016;Biggeri et al, 2018;Davis et al, 2016;Kilburn et al, 2020). Bangladesh started a cash transfer program in 1993 under the guidelines of the International Development Association (IDA).…”

“…The results suggested an increase in girls' participation by 8.2 % in schools in response to CCT programs. Moreover, Kilburn et al (2020) conducted an empirical study on Malawi and found out a strong positive impact of cash transfers on increased enrollment rate and decreased dropout rate. Highlighting the importance of these cash transfer programs, Kilburn et al (2017) and Purba (2018) suggested a continuity of such programs with greater efficiency as these programs help to increase student enrollment.…”