Empowerment, gender, and household dynamics in households receiving social cash transfers in Eastern and Southern Africa: evidence from a systematic review

Understanding the gendered intrahousehold dynamics of empowerment in social cash transfer programes is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of programs in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. This systematic review draws on Kabeer’s tripartite empowerment framework to examine these dynamics in cash transfer households in Eastern and Southern Africa. The analysis shows that social cash transfers clearly improve material resources, particularly for female-headed households facing food insecurity. However, the evidence regarding the impact of social cash transfers on agency and achievement is mixed, which highlights that there are gaps in the literature. Transfers support women’s participation in savings groups, thereby boosting their local economic activity and social engagement, but the evidence of broader economic and social empowerment is inconclusive. Methodological differences across the studies precluded a comprehensive understanding of empowerment in gendered household contexts, particularly in relation to decision-making and the shifting roles of men and women. The paper argues that a more contextually grounded understanding of ‘dignity’ and ‘empowerment’, one that goes beyond material sufficiency to include the relational aspects of everyday life, is essential for designing and implementing effective programes.