Gender Tip Sheet for UNICEF's Cash Transfer Programme in the Horn of Africa Crisis

The impact of drought and famine are not neutral, but are influenced by the distinct needs, vulnerability and capacities of women, men, boys and girls to respond. As with all humanitarian response activities, Cash Transfer Programmes (CTPs) are not neutral and can increase, reinforce, or reduce existing inequalities.

CTPs are increasingly seen as a more flexible, cost effective way to address food insecurity, benefit local markets, and potentially empower marginalized groups including women. More and more agencies are targeting CTPs to women in households to promote responsible use. The assumption is that women are traditionally responsible for children’s welfare (i.e. school and nutrition) and for domestic food consumption, and are thus more reliable in using resources to increase household welfare. Yet, the impact of targeting women for CTPs is not clear in terms of whether or not it increases food security, whether or not it can be used to empower women through increased roles in household decision-making and allocation of income transfers, or reinforce inequalities, and whether or not it challenges, or serves to reinforce traditional gender roles and related inequalities.

The following note outlines gender-related lessons learned from past CTPs and provides tips on key gender considerations for UNICEF staff to take into account when designing and implementing CTPs in the context of the current drought and famine response.