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Systematic review
SR b8

Do self-help groups empower women? Evidence from a systematic review

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Poverty combined with structural factors that perpetuate social marginalisation cause women to be doubly disadvantaged. Promoting self-help groups (SHGs) has been the institutional response of development practitioners, governments, civil society and donors, especially in South Asia. It however remains unclear whether and to what extent SHGs empower women and if, there are any adverse consequences to participation in SHGs for women, particularly in the form of domestic violence.

This brief summarises the key findings from a recent 3ie systematic review by Carinne Brody, Thomas De Hoop, Martina Vojtkova, Ruby Warnock, Megan Dunbar, Padmini Murthy and Shari L Dworkin on the effectiveness of economic self-help group programmes in improving women’s empowerment.

This systematic review synthesises evidence from 23 quantitative studies and 11 qualitative studies to understand the effectiveness of SHGs in empowering women. Of the 34 studies included, 26 studies evaluated programmes in South Asia (mainly India), one in East Asia, and two each in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Main findings:

  • SHGs do positively impact women’s empowerment in some dimensions, particularly economic and social empowerment.
  • Participation in SHGs does not lead to increased domestic violence for women.
  • Impact is found to be higher when participation in SHGs is accompanied by a training programme.
  • SHGs can be exclusionary in as much as they do not mostly include the poorest of the poor.

Do market access interventions benefit smallholder farms?

Do market access interventions benefit smallholder farms?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2024  
The authors of this brief summarize findings of a systematic review on the effects of five types of market access interventions on agriculture, socioeconomic, food security and nutrition outcomes in low- and middle- income countries.

Can vocational training and apprenticeships programs change migration intentions and behavior?

Can vocational training and apprenticeships programs change migration intentions and behavior?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2023  
Irregular migration harms many people worldwide, and millions of dollars are invested globally each year to address the root causes. The authors of this brief summarize the findings of a systematic review on the effects of classroom-based and on-the-job skills training interventions on migration-related outcomes.

Fiscal policies for healthy diets: Can taxes and subsidies change what you buy?

Fiscal policies for healthy diets: Can taxes and subsidies change what you buy?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2022  
While several countries have implemented tax and subsidy policies to support healthy diets, systematic evidence of their impacts is limited, especially in low-and middle-income countries. The authors of this brief summarize the findings of a systematic review on the effects of fiscal policies on diet quality and health.

What works to strengthen women’s empowerment and gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected situations?

What works to strengthen women’s empowerment and gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected situations?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2021  
This systematic review brief summarizes the findings of the synthesis of evidence on gender-specific or gender-transformative interventions in fragile and conflict-affected states. The finding are expected to inform policy and practice decisions within the field of transition aid, particularly, as it relates to gender focused programming.

Do aquaculture interventions improve productivity, income, nutrition and women’s empowerment in low- and middle-income countries?

Do aquaculture interventions improve productivity, income, nutrition and women’s empowerment in low- and middle-income countries?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2021  
This brief is based on a review that synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of interventions supporting farming of aquatic organisms and aiming to improve productivity, income, nutrition and women's empowerment in low-and middle-income countries.

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  • DOI : 10.23846/PB201627

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