Household Poverty Reduction Research Articles

The Effect of Women Empowerment on Poverty Alleviation in Mezam Division-Cameroon

Unequal opportunities between women and men continue to hamper women’s ability to lift themselves from poverty and gain more options to improve their living standards. Women are economically disadvantaged: for example, culturally, they do not own any property; girls are marginalized in education whereby some parents prefer to take boys to good schools and do not like to take girls to good schools. This study intends to examine the effect of various dimensions of women empowerment on multiple constituents of household poverty in the six-sub divisions of Mezam division. The primary data was gathered from a sample of 319 married and employed females who live in Mezam division. For analysis, the study develops its own all-embracing Women Empowerment and Household Poverty variables using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and examines the relationship between the empowerment of women and household poverty using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that women empowerment positively and significantly contributes towards household poverty reduction. The results of the study suggest that in addition to targeting poverty directly, policies should be devised that eradicate poverty through the empowerment of women.

Do collective actions reduce household poverty? Evidence from empirical evaluation of farmers cooperatives in East Shewa, Ethiopia

Do collective actions reduce household poverty? Evidence from empirical evaluation of farmers cooperatives in East Shewa, Ethiopia

Agriculture-livestock-forestry nexus and household income diversification: Experiences from selected villages of West Bengal, India

CONTEXTThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the livelihoods of rural households, especially in developing countries. The reverse migrated workers faced the most economic crisis. They have created additional pressure on local resources and opportunities to maintain their livelihood. In this connection the agriculture-livestock-forestry nexus plays a significant role by providing them livelihood opportunities. OBJECTIVESThis paper attempts to understand the resource use patterns during the post-COVID period, and analyse the impact of agriculture-livestock-forest nexus on household income diversification and poverty reduction. METHODSThe present study uses a novel approach to fulfil the objectives of the study. A well-designed survey was conducted to collect the necessary primary data from sixteen sample villages of West Bengal, India. The scientific design of the survey and data collection procedure is maintained. Moreover, geospatial techniques are used to examine the land use and land cover patterns of the study areas. The econometric models are estimated to inspect the role of agriculture-livestock-forest nexus and household characteristics on household level income diversification and the reduction of poverty. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur analysis reveals that a significant number of the sample households depend on agriculture, livestock and forestry to maintain their livelihoods. The reverse migration of workforce has created additional pressure on these activities. This is mainly due to non-availability of other non-farm employment opportunities locally. The analysis of econometric models shows that while engagement in different activities of the primary sector makes income diversified, it is more so when the households possess necessary technologies, skills and financial supports. All of these are crucial given that income diversification helps households to overcome of poverty. SIGNIFICANCEThe intricate web of the agriculture-livestock-forestry nexus serves as a critical source of livelihood for a substantial number of households, yet the challenges and opportunities it presents necessitate targeted policy interventions. Enabling technology transfer, fostering skill development, and extending financial support emerge as key measures to diversify rural livelihoods, thereby fostering sustainable rural development and poverty reduction in the post-pandemic landscape. The integration of socioeconomic data and geospatial satellite information offers an invaluable basis for formulating effective policy strategies in this evolving era.

Youth Entrepreneurship as a Strategy for Household Poverty Reduction in Umjindi Trust Village, Mpumalanga Province

This paper explores the contribution of youth entrepreneurship to poverty reduction in households of Umjindi Trust Village, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. This paper deems youth entrepreneurship as one of the strategies contributing to household poverty reduction in rural areas. This research adopted a qualitative approach to explore the contribution of youth entrepreneurship to household poverty reduction. Thus, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth entrepreneurs to elicit data. In addition, focus group discussions, consisting of family members of youth entrepreneurs, were conducted to supplement data from interviews. The results suggest that youth entrepreneurship is a survival strategy in Umjindi Trust Village’s job-scarce environment. It is evident that youth entrepreneurship strategy positively contributes to poverty reduction at household level, mainly through job creation for youth entrepreneurs themselves and community members. However, the potential of youth entrepreneurship is undermined by several challenges, including lack of start-up funding, unfavourable government regulations, lack of skills, and poor marketing. Therefore, this paper recommends the active participation of youth centres and organisations in decentralised entrepreneurial training and entrepreneurship support to promote youth entrepreneurship in remote areas.

Impact of Urban Planning on Household Poverty Reduction in Uganda: A Review

The study analyzed the impact of urban planning on reducing household poverty in Uganda. It found that both negative and positive factors significantly influence household poverty. The study also identified five key factors that contribute to household poverty: social services, research and development, employment, and investment. The findings suggest that urban planners should align their policies with government policies when allocating resources to reduce poverty caused by unplanned urbanization. The study recommends that urban planners work to improve the quality of life for households in Uganda. Keywords: Household poverty, urban population growth, urban planning, Urban Sprawl, Government intervention

Financial inclusion and performance of MSMEs in Eswatini

PurposeMicro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of economic development for every economy. They contribute to local economic development through household wealth creation, employment generation and poverty reduction. Despite this pivotal role, MSMEs lack access to finance, and scholarship on the enabling role of financial inclusion on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises' performance is scant. The authors contribute to closing the knowledge gap by examining the enabling effect of financial inclusion on MSMEs using the FinScope MSME 2017 survey for the Kingdom of Eswatini. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objective.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the re-centered influence function regression framework to estimate unconditional quantile regressions and the generalized ordered logit model to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings from the unconditional quantile regression revealed that small changes in access to bank accounts, saving for business, formal saving, stokvel and informal saving at the 50th and 75th percentiles have a positive and statistically significant effect on microenterprises' annual turnover profit. Conversely, small changes in formal insurance have a mixed effect on annual turnover profit. At the 10th and 25th percentiles, a small increment in insurance reduces annual turnover profit but increases microenterprise annual turnover profit at the 75th percentile. Meanwhile, the evidence from the generalized ordered logit model showed that financial inclusion reduces the likelihood of microenterprises being classified as least developed and increased the chances of microenterprises falling into emerging and developed business categories.Research limitations/implicationsThis study makes use of a cross-sectional survey dataset, as a result, it does not infer causal relationships over the long term, but rather an association between the independent and dependent variables.Practical implicationsOverall, formal and informal financial inclusion enhances the annual turnover profit for microenterprises, particularly at the 50th and 75th percentiles in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The authors recommend a specialized institution such as a micro, small and medium-sized partial credit guarantee scheme to improve the quality and affordability of credit for microenterprises, and a mix of financial and non-financial supports depending on the development stage to boost a sustainable microenterprises' sector.Originality/valueThe study uses two advanced cross-sectional techniques, the recentered influence function framework and the generalized ordered logit model to analyze the data. The paper is original and contributes to the discussion of the role of financial inclusion in enabling microenterprises' success in Africa, using the FinScope 2017 survey of microenterprises in Eswatini as a case study.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-10-2020-0689.

Mobile Broadband, Poverty, and Labor Outcomes in Tanzania

AbstractWhat are the impacts of expanding mobile broadband coverage on poverty, household consumption, and labor-market outcomes in developing countries? Who benefits from improved coverage of mobile internet? To respond to these questions, this paper applies a difference-in-differences estimation using panel household survey data combined with geospatial information on the rollout of mobile broadband coverage in Tanzania. The results reveal that being covered by 3G networks has a large positive effect on total household consumption and poverty reduction, driven by positive impacts on labor-market outcomes. Working-age individuals living in areas covered by mobile internet witnessed an increase in labor-force participation, wage employment, and non-farm self-employment, and a decline in farm employment. These effects vary by age, gender, and skill level. Younger and more skilled men benefit the most through higher labor-force participation and wage employment, while high-skilled women benefit from transitions from self-employed farm work into non-farm employment.

Capital social et pauvreté des ménages ruraux au Burkina Faso

L'objectif : Cet article analyse l'effet du capital social sur la pauvreté des ménages en milieu rural au Burkina Faso. Conception/méthodologie/approche : La présente recherche suppose une relation causale à double sens entre la pauvreté et l'accès au capital social. Cela suggère un problème d'endogénéité conduisant à l'utilisation de deux méthodes en deux étapes : l'approche Probit moindres carrés en deux étapes (2SPLS) et l'approche du maximum de vraisemblance conditionnelle en deux étapes (2SCML). Les analyses se sont basées sur des données d'enquêtes du Programme National de Gestion des Terroirs (PNGT 2) collectées en 2011 auprès des ménages en milieu rural. Résultats : Les investigations ont révélé que l'accès au capital social affecte positivement la consommation des ménages et réduit la pauvreté. Ces résultats montrent, en outre, que le revenu est négativement associé à l'accès au capital social. Les stratégies gouvernementales visant à réduire la pauvreté des ménages en milieu rural doivent encourager l'organisation des producteurs en groupements avec un accent mis sur les producteurs à faible revenu. Originalité/valeur : Le capital social joue un rôle important dans l'amélioration des conditions de vie des ménages indépendamment de l'espace géographique. Cependant, les réalités socioculturelles varient selon l'espace, ce qui affecte l'organisation et le contenu des associations et des groupements. Malgré les nombreux travaux sur le sujet, très peu ont concerné le Burkina Faso. Les quelques travaux n'ont pas examiné la double causalité entre le capital social et la pauvreté. Cette recherche qui utilise des données d'envergure nationale peut contribue à approfondir et élargir les connaissances sur la question.

The role of Non-Governmental organisations in enhancing household poverty reduction in Uganda: a review of literature

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to discuss the contribution of Non-Governmental Organisations in enhancing poverty reduction among households in Uganda by looking at the relationship between NGO Activities and poverty reduction in Uganda as well as the contribution of NGO activities and poverty reduction in Uganda.
 Methodology: The study adopted a literature review of available data on Uganda, the region and other parts of the world regarding the link between Non-governmental organisations and household poverty reduction. The sources consulted include academic manuscripts, journals, peer-reviewed books, policy documents, annual reports as well as statistical papers.
 Findings: Results suggest a positive relationship between microfinance and poverty while most studies confirm that microfinance has a potential outcome on reducing poverty. More, results indicate NGOs’ support to food security and household poverty reduction as well as complex community perception of NGOs activities in poverty reduction, promotion of education and training, health, environmental conservation, and protection against child abuse.
 Conclusion and recommendations: NGOs might be doing a wonderful service to community members in various countries in the name of poverty reduction, not much of their achievements have been documented. It was even more paramount that, Uganda, with many NGOs working along poverty reduction strategies have their achievements studied, documented and widely shared. Thus, the government provides a more conducive working environment for the NGOs to be able to function and operate with less fear from the censorship of state organs; and, an amicable working relationship be forged between government and the NGOs given that the two are partners in community development.
 Unique contribution to policy and/or practice: This review on the contribution of NGOs to household poverty reduction is essential to national and local policy makers on facilitating the stakeholders to appreciate the fundamental role played by non-state actors in community transformation.

The involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations activities in Household Poverty reduction in Oyam District, Uganda

Purpose: This study examined the contribution of NGO activities on poverty reduction in Oyam District-Northern Uganda and recommends strategies for improving wellbeing of people of the region and entirely Uganda as a Country. This was based on account that, Oyam District was estimated with the lowest annual GDP per capita of 223 USD compared to the neighbouring Districts of Apac and Kole with the annual GDP per capita of 228 USD and 230 USD respectively
 Methodology: The study used a correlational design with correlational and regression methods of analysis. It was conducted among beneficiaries of selected NGOs comprising a sample of 290 from a population of 860.
 Findings: This study reveals a significant and positive contribution of NGO activities to poverty reduction in Oyam District and that NGO activities has a moderate relationship with household poverty level in Oyam District. The results further show that the financial support provided by NGOs significantly contributes to poverty reduction while the food security support provided does not.
 Conclusion and recommendations: It is established that NGO activities contribute significantly to poverty reduction in Oyam District. This study recommends that the food security support be backed with the provision of market for the agricultural products of the NGO beneficiaries and in order to create income for them. The study further recommends for the NGO support to agricultural product market search for their beneficiaries as well as forming the beneficiaries in different groups and train them on financial literacy for better management of finances.
 Unique contributions to policy and/or practice: This study contributes positively to the understanding of non-state actors and the role they play in reducing poverty among communities that are recovering from decades of civil war in Uganda.

Relevance of Social Security Allowance in Nepal

This study aims at assessing the relevance of social security allowance in Nepal among the beneficiaries of Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu district. With purposive selection of Kirtipur Municipality, a community based cross sectional study was carried out among old age allowance beneficiaries of Kirtipur Municipality. Most of the target people (86.1% male and 85.6% female) of social security allowance have been primarily using allowance money for basic personal needs for buying food/clothes/vegetables and though the government's initiatives have had the direct bearing on the reduction of the household economic poverty and vulnerability of the beneficiaries, it seems insufficient enough to maintain the target people’s life as majority of them (80.4%) reported the inadequacy of the allowance distributed. This was evidenced by chi-square test also. The study revealed that there is needed to make the institutional efforts within the legal framework to make members of the families responsible for the support of senior citizens in their ripe old age. The government needs to design and implement livelihoods programs for physically capable senior citizens living below poverty line which would also use their skill and knowledge and contribute to reduce household poverty.

Effects of a free health insurance programme for the poor on health service utilisation and financial protection in Senegal

IntroductionImplemented in 2013 in Senegal, the Programme National de Bourses de Sécurité Familiale (PNBSF) is a national cash transfer programme for poor households. Besides reducing household poverty and encouraging children’s...

Analysis of the effect of social capital on rural household poverty

AbstractFocusing on rural household poverty in China, this article takes social capital as an entry point and uses the 2018 CFPS database to study the effects and mechanisms of social capital on absolute income, relative income, absolute poverty, and relative poverty of rural households. The results find that social capital can significantly increase the income of rural households and reduce the probability of poverty; also, the householder's education has a certain substitution effect on social capital, which can significantly weaken the income increasing effect of social capital; social capital has a more significant role in increasing the income of poor families and helps to narrow the income gap; social capital can promote income diversification, however, income diversification shows a negative impact on household income and poverty; poverty acceptance has a significant mediating effect in the process of social capital's influence on household poverty, and social capital can further promote household income increase and poverty reduction by suppressing poverty acceptance. In this regard, the government can strengthen rural infrastructure construction, inclination of educational resources and labour skills training, and promote positive rural culture, to increase the social capital of rural households, help them increase their income, achieve poverty alleviation, and prevent them from returning to poverty again.

The limits of livelihood diversification and sustainable household well-being, evidence from China

Diversification of household livelihood activities has become an important pillar of rural development strategies for improving living standards and household well-being (HWB). Yet diversification's relationship with rural development has not been assessed in working landscapes for households that span a range of HWB levels, which has important implications for sustainable rural transitions and resource use. This paper examines the role of livelihood diversification on HWB. We use a novel dataset from northeast China to develop a quantitative index that reflects sustainable livelihoods derived from principles laid out in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, which we refer to as an index of sustainable household well-being (SHWB). We assess the role of diversification against other factors that relate to SHWB, and examine non-linearities in these relationships though quantile regression methods. While past work has shown how diversification can improve SHWB outcomes for low-resource communities, here we test the limits of diversification as a household poverty reduction strategy. Our analysis shows that livelihood diversification is associated with improvements in SHWB for households with low and medium levels of wellbeing (<50th percentile in our sample). At higher levels of SHWB, education and income have much greater influence. Our results are robust to alternate measures of well-being and diversification metrics, and have implications for sustainable livelihood policy and improving household well-being. Supporting and encouraging livelihood diversification should play a significant role in poverty reduction strategies for the poorest of households, but with increased levels of market integration and regional development, specialization may be appropriate.

Efektivitas Perlindungan Sosial Masyarakat Melalui Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) Terhadap Kesejahteraan Keluarga Penerima Manfaat (KPM) Di Era Pandemi Covid-19 (Studi Kasus Pada Kelurahan Koto Tangah Kota Payakumbuh)

Poverty is a very complex and long-term problem. Therefore, how to reduce poverty also requires proper analysis. All components involved in the problem require appropriate solutions, sustainable, not temporary. This study aims to see the effect of the effectiveness of community social protection through the Family Hope program in reducing household poverty levels in the Covid-19 pandemic era in the Koto Tangah village on the welfare of the Beneficiary Family (KPM). The scope of this research problem is limited to indicators of effectiveness on the welfare of Beneficiary Families (KPM). This research is descriptive research. The method in this research uses mixed methods research which combines two approaches in research, namely qualitative and quantitative. The results in this study found that targeting accuracy, program socialization, and program objectives partially have a positive and significant effect on improving the welfare of the beneficiary community and have been very effective in social protection of the community. Meanwhile, for monitoring the PKH program, it has an effect but not significantly on improving people's welfare, but it is not significant because every thing is found when monitoring or evaluation must be followed up immediately.

The effectiveness of livelihood management strategies in mitigating drought impacts and improving livability of pastoralist households

Pastoralists' households have faced several external disruptions such as drought, climate change, and rangeland degradation. Climatic and anthropogenic stressors are projected to pose extra pressure on the rangelands and increase the vulnerability of pastoralist households. Effective interventions are needed to improve pastoralists' livelihoods under climatic and anthropogenic changes. The sustainable livelihood framework can help to identify and investigate livelihood profiles, strategies, and outcomes. This study aims to determine the economic and environmental effectiveness of livelihood management strategies in pastoralist communities of Fars province, Iran. Based on a survey of 393 Qashqai nomad households, who were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling, four different livelihood strategies were identified: the pastoral, agro-pastoral, servicing-pastoral and agro craft-pastoral. However, traditional pastoralism played a basic role in the livelihood of the pastoralist households. Further, the results indicated that the engagement of households in different livelihood strategies was significantly driven by their livelihood assets. The findings suggested that livelihood diversification can reduce household poverty, and maintain rangelands in a relatively better condition. However, given the differences in livelihood assets, no unique livelihood strategy can simultaneously provide both optimal economic advantages and ecological sustainability.

Impact of Rural Livelihood Diversification among Rural Household in Nigeria

Livelihood diversification can be referred to as attempts by individuals and households to raise diverse means of income to survive and improve their standard of living. The key driver of diversification is to increase income because the main source of income is not enough to provide a satisfactory livelihood. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing livelihood diversification in rural household poverty reduction in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 rural households in South-Eastern Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the households, and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS version-20). The majority (63.3%) of the respondents were male, and about 50.0% had 5-10 family members. Most of the respondents (36.7%) were between 46-60 years of age. Food security (36.7%) was the major reason for livelihood diversification from all the respondents, followed by income with 33.3%. A statistically significant association was found between non-farm activity and land ownership. The study revealed that income was the main reason to engage in livelihood diversification in the rural household because more income is needed to adequately take care of the large family size. The influencing factor for non-farm activities was the market (demand and supply). A further study of a larger population of households in rural areas is needed to ascertain the extent of rural livelihood diversification.

The Impact of Livelihood Sources on Relative Poverty among Households in the Karst Mountains, a case study from Huajiang demonstration area, SW China

ABSTRACT After eliminating absolute poverty in 2020, China is shifting its focus from poverty eradication to achieving common prosperity, and relative poverty is currently a research focus.This paperuses interdisciplinary analysis methods to measure households’ livelihood sources and relative poverty in the karst mountains and explore the impact of livelihood sources on relative poverty. The results show that relative poverty in the Huajiang demonstration area is mainly manifested by a lack of material conditions influenced by natural conditions. The status of household labour, production conditions, social networks and natural conditions affect households’ livelihood sources. Increasing household livelihood sources can significantly alleviate their relative poverty status. The increase in household livelihood sources , agricultural modernization and breeding specialization can all significantly reduce household poverty level, whereas increased subsidy income may reduce the incentive for households to develop themselves. The study’s findings provide an important scientific basis for improving the livelihood resilience of households in the karst mountains and help consolidate and expand poverty alleviation.

Determinants of Women’s Empowerment and Household Poverty Reduction in Imbulpe DS Division, Sri Lanka

Women empowerment and poverty reduction are interrelated key driving forces to achieve the sustainable development of a country. However, most of the women farmers in rural areas have lack of access to adequate assets and resources, credit facilities and freedom of decision making within the households. Therefore, women empowerment is a timely important requirement to reduce the household poverty among them. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of empowerment of women farmers and also roles of them in reduction of poverty in Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division in Sri Lanka. In this study, 238 women farmers were selected using simple random sampling method, from purposively identified seven Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in this area. Primary data was gathered from a field survey using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire from May to July 2019. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used as the statistical methods in data analyzing process. The result revealed that, age, education, monthly income of the respondents, economic resource accessibility, participation in decision making and freedom of mobility act as the determinants of empowerment of women farmers. The moderately significant positive nature of relationship was showed between the age of the women farmers and their role in poverty reduction. And also, the level of education, monthly income, economic resources accessibility of the respondents and participation of decision making within the household of the women farmers were showed moderately significant positive relationship with their role in poverty reduction. Therefore, encourage women farmers as rural entrepreneurs while performing their farming practices to earn additional income, enhance economic resource accessibility and motivate women farmers to express their ideas for enhance the active participation in the household decision making process are timely important requirements to empower women farmers and enhance their role in poverty reduction.

Palliative care and catastrophic costs in Malawi after a diagnosis of advanced cancer: a prospective cohort study

SummaryBackgroundInclusive universal health coverage requires access to quality health care without financial barriers. Receipt of palliative care after advanced cancer diagnosis might reduce household poverty, but evidence from low-income and middle-income settings is sparse.MethodsIn this prospective study, the primary objective was to investigate total household costs of cancer-related health care after a diagnosis of advanced cancer, with and without the receipt of palliative care. Households comprising patients and their unpaid family caregiver were recruited into a cohort study at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi, between Jan 16 and July 31, 2019. Costs of cancer-related health-care use (including palliative care) and health-related quality-of-life were recorded over 6 months. Regression analysis explored associations between receipt of palliative care and total household costs on health care as a proportion of household income. Catastrophic costs, defined as 20% or more of total household income, sale of assets and loans taken out (dissaving), and their association with palliative care were computed.FindingsWe recruited 150 households. At 6 months, data from 89 (59%) of 150 households were available, comprising 89 patients (median age 50 years, 79% female) and 64 caregivers (median age 40 years, 73% female). Patients in 55 (37%) of the 150 households died and six (4%) were lost to follow-up. 19 (21%) of 89 households received palliative care. Catastrophic costs were experienced by nine (47%) of 19 households who received palliative care versus 48 (69%) of 70 households who did not (relative risk 0·69, 95% CI 0·42 to 1·14, p=0·109). Palliative care was associated with substantially reduced dissaving (median US$11, IQR 0 to 30 vs $34, 14 to 75; p=0·005). The mean difference in total household costs on cancer-related health care with receipt of palliative care was −36% (95% CI −94 to 594; p=0·707).InterpretationVulnerable households in low-income countries are subject to catastrophic health-related costs following a diagnosis of advanced cancer. Palliative care might result in reduced dissaving in these households. Further consideration of the economic benefits of palliative care is justified.FundingWellcome Trust; National Institute for Health Research; and EMMS International.