Social Protection in a Crisis: Argentina's Plan Jefes y Jefas

Abstract

This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Social protection in a crisis : Argentina's plan Jefes y Jefas, conducted between 2002 and 2003 in Argentina. The study observed the impact of Argentina's main social policy response to the severe economic crisis of 2002 on the individual level. It is clear that the eligibility criteria were not enforced. Large shares of the recipients were women. The program reduced unemployment by about 2.5 percentage points. The work requirement represented a positive opportunity cost for participants. The program had a small effect on the poverty rate and a somewhat larger effect on the incidence of extreme poverty. Funding for the study derived from the Government of Argentina.