This collaborative report attempts to present a case for expanded impact monitoring and evaluation of children’s wellbeing related to micro-level economic strengthening activities. The report’s research is based on a growing body of mixed evidence about the benefits and detriments of economic strengthening programs on child wellbeing. The authors suggest that child-level monitoring ought to be included at the outset of a program to facilitate ongoing analysis while also expanding the definitions and indicators of success.
The paper argues that programs seeking to enhance the economic situation of households should have child-specific indicators and monitoring even when children are not the direct participants of the program. Building upon existing research, the authors maintain that the economic status of the household was a stronger predictor of children’s wellbeing than orphan status. Evidence presented suggests that the direct or indirect practices can have positive impacts on both children’s psychological development and on future economic behaviors (such as saving), and thus reinforcing the benefits of the poverty alleviation programs across generations. The report maintains that programs directed toward women often have greater impact on childhood wellbeing as women are more likely to invest in the household, however, they do not discount the tendency of men to reinvest into the business and its potential for lasting household economic improvement (remaining consistent with their view that household income is the strongest determining factor for wellbeing).
The authors suggest, however, that indicators can be mixed. For example, some programs such as cash transfer microfinance programs in Africa and India featuring health education had positive impacts on children’s health and nutrition. Yet, economic strengthening programs could at times have unintended consequences. In some cases, it was demonstrated that ongoing borrowing could inhibit school enrolment. Other studies have shown that some economic strengthening programs initially increased the incidence of child labor to accommodate the family’s growing business activity. The authors also cite a higher likelihood of gender-based violence and harassment for girls included in programs individually as opposed to groups. Several areas for further research are presented including household-level impact assessments, increased evaluations to the extent that income interventions expand wellbeing, and to the extent to which child-level impacts translate to future generations.