Evidence on how cash transfers empower women in poverty

Donations to GiveDirectly put power in the hands of recipients, 62% of whom are women. On International Women’s Day, hear directly from women and girls in poverty in Malawi about the unique ways that direct cash empowers them:

This impact is more than anecdotal; research finds that cash aid lets women improve their lives in many ways. Below, we break down the evidence by story.

Maternal & infant health

Lenita - “When I was pregnant, I would fall sick [and] could not afford the fare to go to the hospital.”

Studies find that cash can: 

• Increase the use of health facilities.^[1] 
• Improve birth weight and infant mortality^[2] – one study found GiveDirectly’s program reduced child mortality by ~70% and improved child growth.^[3]

Education & domestic violence

Agatha - “My husband was so abusive... so I left him and went back to try to finish school.”

Studies find that cash can: 

• Reduce incidents of physical abuse by a male partner of a woman^[1] – one study found GiveDirectly’s program reduced physical intimate partner violence.^[4] 
• Increase school attendance for girls.^[1]

Decision-making power

Beatrice - “My husband and I always argued… about how to spend what little money we had. Now, when we receive the money, we plan together.”

Studies find that cash can: 

• Increase a woman’s likelihood of being the sole or joint decision-maker.^[1]

Entrepreneurship & savings

Anesi - “With the businesses I started, I want to buy land for my children so they will never forget me.” 

Studies find that cash can: 

• Increase entrepreneurship^[1] – one study of GiveDirectly’s program found new business creation doubled.^[5]  For more on female entrepreneurs, watch→  
• Increase the number of families saving and the amount they saved^[1] – one study of GiveDirectly’s program found women doubled their savings.^[5] To learn about women's savings groups, watch→ 

Elderly support

Faidesi - “Now that I am old, I can’t farm and often sleep hungry. I would have been dead if it wasn’t for these payments.” 

Studies find that cash can: 

• Reduce the likelihood of having had an illness in the last three months^[6] – one study in Tanzania found cash reduced the number of doctor visits made by women over 60.^[7] 

1. ^{^}

    Bastagli et al 2016

2. ^{^}

    Siddiqi et al 2018

3. ^{^}

    McIntosh & Zeitlin 2018

^{^}

 Haushofer et al 2019

^{^}

 McIntosh & Zeitlin 2020 

^{^}

Pega et al 2017

^{^}

 Evans et al 2014

Show all footnotes