Tag: G2P programs

Our policy brief draws on global trends to understand how G2P programs can evolve to address India’s challenges. We look at how expanding beneficiary choice and inclusion while building resilience in social protection programs can increase the impact of G2P programs.

Timestamps of the webinar conducted on 10th November, 2022, on the topic “Can G2P unlock women’s economic empowerment?”. See the time stamps below for a better viewing experience.

The presentation presents evidence from Asia and Africa on the role of G2P in enhancing women’s economic empowerment. G2P programs have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the household and women’s agency. Governments should utilize gender-disaggregated data and remain sensitive to social norms to improve G2P policy design.

The presentation reveals evidence from India on female beneficiaries’ experience of receiving G2P (DBT) in India. Almost all women reported that G2P programs benefited both them and their households. Yet a few lacked a positive outlook on G2P transfers, as they faced hurdles when they tried to move outside their homes independently and did not have agency over the G2P payments.

MSC and the Center for Global Development (CGD) assessed Bangladesh’s Primary Education Stipends Program (PESP), a gender-centric cash transfer program to improve primary school attendance rates. Over the years, benefit delivery of PESP evolved from cash disbursement to digital stipend transfers. Key evidence from our assessment shows women prefer digital transfers to cash-in-hand. Our blog shares evidence from the study using the “Design, Direct, and Digitize” (D3) framework to make a case for women beneficiaries as better contenders for G2P programs. Our blog looks beyond the impact of PESP on program outcomes—and highlights the socioeconomic implications of mobile money on women and the role PESP plays in gender equity and inclusion.

Despite the Indian government’s gender-focused relief measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, women beneficiaries faced issues as they tried to access and utilize such measures. Issues with access and capability around digital communication and inherent social norms persist as two important factors that intensify the challenges that #women face in using formal financial services.