The impact of PROGRESA on women’s status and intrahousehold relations

The objective of this report is to examine the impact of Mexico’s PROGRESA on women’s status and intra-household relations. PROGRESA provides cash benefits linked to children’s school attendance and to regular clinic attendance, as well as in-kind health benefits and nutritional supplements. It also targets transfers directly to the mother of the family.

While a number of conclusions specifically referring to intra-household relationships, collective activities, women's empowerment, education and gender issues are outlined, some general conclusions also emerge:

• PROGRESA contributes to women’s empowerment (e.g. self-esteem, ‘sense of self in a wider context’) through improved health and nutrition; putting additional resources under women’s control; giving women more opportunities to leave the house; educating them on health and nutrition issues; providing new spaces in which to communicate with other women; and educating girls to improve their position in the future
• the impacts on intrahousehold relationships however are more modest
• the spotlight that PROGRESA’s design puts on women gives government recognition to women which is noticed by beneficiary and non-beneficiary families. The programme is also introduced with messages about women’s importance.