Case Study: Conditional cash transfers in Egypt
Abstract
Conditional Cash Transfers have become a popular method of offering state support to ultra-poor families. They are designed to break the cycle of inter-generational poverty, with the idea that families are active participants in a scheme that has developmental objectives, rather than a 'band aid' mentality. The CCTs programme in Ain el-Sira, Cairo, one of the first of its kind to be launched in the Arab world, was shaped by a Pathways conference which brought together experts from Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador. The conference looked at the proposed CCTs design, discussed best practices and potential obstacles to effectiveness and, in particular, how existing programmes both empowered or disempowered women. The Egyptian CCTs programme works with low-income families, especially mothers and female heads of household, with school-aged children. The families are given monetary transfers from the Egyptian government on certain conditions (minimum school attendance, regular visits to health clinics, nutrition). The programme has an explicitly feminist design that tries to take into account gender critiques of other CCT schemes.
Citation
Anon. Case Study: Conditional cash transfers in Egypt. Pathways of Women’s Empowerment RPC, Brighton, UK (2011) 2 pp.
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