Providing access to economic assets for girls and young women in low-and-lower middle-income countries. A systematic review of the evidence.

The aim of this review was to identify interventions which attempt to address the economic barriers faced by girls and young women

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2012
Document Type:
Systematic Review
Theme:
Economic Growth and Social Change
Authors:
Dickson, K. and Bangpan, M.

Abstract

The aim of this review was to identify interventions which attempt to address the economic barriers faced by girls and young women, in low- and lower-middle income countries, and fragile states. The hypothesis is that if interventions both provide direct access to economic assets for young girls and tackle the wider social issues which impede girls and young women's opportunities to access, build and protect economic assets, this will (i) support their immediate economic, social and psychological well-being (ii) improve their chances of economic success through the accumulation and control of economic assets and (iii) potentially help girls and young women to reframe/change wider social/societal relations.

This review addresses the following questions: (i) what is the impact of economic asset-building and/or protecting programmes for girls in low- and lower-middle income countries, and fragile states? and (ii) what are girls and young women's views and experiences of participating in asset-building and/or protecting programmes in low- and lower-middle-income countries, and fragile states?

A systematic search of the international literature was conducted. A total of 18 relevant studies examining interventions to increase access to or protect economic assets for girls and young women in low- and lower-middle-income countries, and fragile states were critically appraised and explored in-depth. The included studies evaluated the following types of economic asset interventions:

  • Educational incentives
  • Livelihood programmes
  • Reproductive health programmes.

There is a protocol for this systematic review

Citation

Dickson, K.; Bangpan, M. Providing access to economic assets for girls and young women in low-and-lower middle-income countries. A systematic review of the evidence. EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK (2012) 145 pp. ISBN 978-1-907345-38-8

Providing access to economic assets for girls and young women in low-and-lower middle-income countries. A systematic review of the evidence.

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Published 1 January 2012
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