Discussion sessions coupled with microfinancing may enhance the role of women in household decision-making in burundi
By: Radha Iyengar, Giulia Ferrari
Contributors: Ferrari, Giulia; National Bureau of Economic Research
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 16902; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 16902.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "The empowerment of women within households remains a major issue around the world including in Africa.  We have conducted a study in Burundi coupling discussion sessions with microfinancing to determine if they enhance the role of women in decisions regarding household purchases and the reduction of domestic violence.  We compare our findings to that from a published study in South Africa that combined discussion sessions on life skills and health on reduction in domestic violence and decisions on economic issues.  Both studies used randomized controlled experiments.  Both studies show a trend towards increases in household authority, with the Burundi study showing statistical significance.  In South Africa there was a large, albeit short lived decrease in domestic violence.  In Burundi there was small reduction but trends suggest a longer duration.  The effects on overall empowerment are small.  These studies suggest that a more sustained use of discussion sessions may result in longer and more sustained economic and social empowerment.  Future research could focus on the longer term effects of the use of discussion sessions and investigate how the observed impacts can be sustained in magnitude and duration"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 6/9/2011.

Includes bibliographical references.

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