Household Economic Strengthening

Poverty is a leading cause of child separation. Families may be torn apart by the stresses of trying to provide for their basic needs, and children may be abandoned or exploited for financial purposes. Household economic strengthening aims to reduce a family’s vulnerability to poverty, increase economic independence, and improve people’s ability to provide for their children.

Economic strengthening alone will not prevent separation or protect children, and should form part of a comprehensive support package, including psychosocial work, community mobilisation, education, health, and family support. Household economic strengthening should also complement the wider government social assistance programmes, welfare sector initiatives, and child care policies. Beneficiaries should include those families which are destitute, poor, or vulnerable to poverty, including child headed households.

Economic empowerment is not possible without the active participation of the community in ensuring that those most in need are identified and that families are willing to commit to projects. Any initiative must have sustainability at its core; there must be a market demand for products and services, and activities should build on the existing strengths and resources of the community.

Household economic strengthening includes activities which help a family restore, improve and maintain their income, and build savings and assets. Projects may consist of relief assistance, grants and loans for income generating activities, technical and skills training, registered credit and savings associations, and legal advice on inheritance and property rights. Ideally such guidance and resources should come from specialised local organisations that can facilitate market research, identify those in need and the type of assistance required, and provide sustainable long-term support to beneficiaries.

The literature contained in this section offers recommendations and examples of household economic strengthening projects which support the protection of children.

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Selected Resource Material Concerning Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS

John Williamson, 2006

An updated list of literature and bibliographies concerning children and families affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. Most of the resources are focused on sub-Saharan Africa.

Child Poverty and Cash Transfers

Armando Barrientos and Jocelyn DeJong, 2006

This paper examines the effectiveness of targeted cash transfers programs on reducing childhood poverty. It also explored the comparatives effectiveness of different kinds of cash transfers.

Reassessing Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

Jishnu Das, Quy-Toan Do, and Berk Özler , 2006

This article reviews the existing literature on conditional cash transfer programs around the world. It urges the careful consideration of multiple factors in program planning and policy making to achieve successful long-term outcomes.

"With their effort and one opportunity": Alleviating Extreme Poverty in Chile

Emanuela Galasso, 2006

Evaluates the effect of an anti-poverty program, Chile Solidario, during its first two years of operation. Estimate the impact of the program on a large array of socio-economic outcomes including education, health, housing, and employment. Finds also suggest the key role that psycho-social support had in enabling this change, by increasing awareness of social services in the community as well as households’ orientation towards the future.

Evaluating the Impact of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

Laura B. Rawlings and Gloria M. Rubio , 2005

This paper examines the short-term impact of conditional cash transfer programs in comparison to traditional social assistance programs. Programs in Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Turkey are highlighted.

Forward-Looking Review: World Vision's Approaches to Integrating Microenterprise Development and HIV/AIDS Response

Jill Donahue, 2005

A report on several pilot projects launched by the World Vision and affiliated microfinance institutions to address the association between poverty and HIV. A description of pilot projects in Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and Malawi are discussed.

Orphans and Discrimination in Mozambique: An Outlay Equivalence Analysis

Virgulino Nhate, Channing Arndt, Mikkel Barslund and Katleen Van den Broeck, 2005

This paper examines childcare policy in Mozambique. It finds that vulnerability increases when orphans are placed in resource-poor kinship care arrangements.

Breaking the Poverty Cycle: A Case Study of Cash Interventions in Ethiopia

Lesley Adams and Emebet Kebede, 2005

This paper examines the role, process and impact of cash transfer interventions in Ethiopia using several case studies. Challenges and recommendations for future cash interventions are discussed in-depth.

The Lost Ones: Emergency Care and Family Tracing for Children from Birth to Five Years

Marie de la Soudière, Jan Williamson, and Jacqueline Botte, 2005

Guidelines for the care of young children separated from their families in emergencies. Includes detailed information on prevention of separation, child registration and documentation, and family reunification.

Economic Strengthening / Livelihood Tools and Literature Review

Hugh Allen, 2005

Summary and analysis of the status of the literature and reviews on economic strengthening and livelihood tools. Contains recommendations of best practices and guidelines on which tools work.