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Multifaceted programs targeting women in fragile settings: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo

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  • Angelucci, Manuela
  • Heath, Rachel
  • Noble, Eva

Abstract

We study the impact of a multifaceted program for ultra-poor women in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We cross-randomized the primary treatment – a holistic set of services and financial support – with a 16-week men’s engagement program (MEP) for spouses and male household members. The core treatment has large effects on consumption, employment and finances, women’s empowerment, and health, with most effects still significant two years after the program start. We find heterogeneous effects on intimate partner violence, which decreased for women at high risk of violence but increased for women at low risk. The MEP yields no lasting additional impacts for women. Multifaceted programs targeting women can be an effective way to lift people out of poverty and increase women’s empowerment, although care is needed to minimize backlash.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelucci, Manuela & Heath, Rachel & Noble, Eva, 2023. "Multifaceted programs targeting women in fragile settings: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:164:y:2023:i:c:s0304387823001013
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103146
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wicker, Till, 2025. "Winsorizing and Trimming with Subgroups," Discussion Paper 2025-007, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    3. Wicker, Till, 2025. "Winsorizing and Trimming with Subgroups," Other publications TiSEM 0add126c-edd4-49e9-a9f8-f, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Dorothee Weiffen & Ghassan Baliki & Tilman Brück & Jan Elfes, 2025. "Cash and Cohesion in Crisis: On the Impacts of Anticipatory Cash Transfers in IDP Camps in South Sudan during Floods," HiCN Working Papers 433, Households in Conflict Network.
    5. Alderman, Harold & Gilligan, Daniel O. & Hidrobo, Melissa & Leight, Jessica & Mulford, Michael & Tambet, Heleene, 2025. "Men can cook: Effectiveness of a men’s engagement intervention to change attitudes and behaviors in rural Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    6. Bouguen, Adrien & Dillon, Andrew, 2026. "Beyond poverty reduction: Evidence from a multifaceted program on poverty, nutrition and child development," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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