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.”
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]
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]
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]
Bastagli et al 2016
Siddiqi et al 2018
McIntosh & Zeitlin 2018
Haushofer et al 2019
McIntosh & Zeitlin 2020
Pega et al 2017
Evans et al 2014