The role and sustainability of cash transfer programmes in poverty reduction on female-headed households in Mukuru slums of Nairobi City County
Abstract
This project presents the findings of a study on the role and sustainability of cash transfer
programs in poverty reduction on female-headed households in Mukuru slums of Nairobi City
County. The aim of the study was to explore the role of cash transfer programs in addressing
poverty and to examine the role of cash transfer programs in reducing poverty and also to
analyze the sustainability of cash transfer programs in poverty reduction. The theory used in the
study was the anti-poverty approach. It advocates for the redistribution of goods, and is
embedded in the concept of growth, provision of basic needs, and ensuring an increase in the
productivity of poor women. The findings related to the objectives whereby, it was established
that the cash transfer programmes had succeeded to a great extent to achieve their purpose. The
beneficiaries used the cash they received to provide basic needs such as to pay school fees for
their children, buy food for their families, and maintain their micro businesses as well as for
paying rent. In addition other programmes within the cash transfer programmes saw children that
had completed primary education trained in vocational skills such driving, hairdressing and
beauty and tailoring so as to provide more livelihood options for the households. Beneficiaries
were taught on how to save, as well as how to live positively and eat healthily for them that had
acquired HIV and AIDS. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the cash should be
increased to ensure that these female headed households benefit holistically, that the cash
programmes targeting food security and poverty reduction be targeted to women directly, and
that these cash programmes be accompanied by other programmes like cash for work, and also
that the government and NGO’s giving these cash programmes should sensitize people about
sustainable livelihood options, and for a study to be conducted on other programmes other than cash that can be used in reducing poverty in female-headed households in Mukuru slums and
measures put in place to ensure that only the rightful people benefit
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Thesis Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies