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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until June 01, 2025

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Rural Women's Empowerment Through the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Loja, Ecuador

Padilla Herrera, Andrea Michelle
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4893-776X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1585909837570404

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Latin American Studies (International Studies).
Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs are among the most popular policy tools used in Latin America to deal with poverty alleviation. These programs are considered groundbreaking because the cash grant is typically given to women. Some scholars claim that these types of instruments empower female beneficiaries because they increase women's status within their household and neighborhood. Others partially disagree with these claims because they consider that empowerment should also entail a change of traditional gender relations within the family. Drawing on in-depth interviews, I examine the overall effects of the Ecuadorian CCT, Bono de Desarrollo Humano (BDH), on women living in three rural communities in southern Ecuador. In particular, I focus on its impacts on perceptions of empowerment and gender roles. Through an analysis of the effects of the program in terms of economy, intimate relationships and women's empowerment, I argue that the BDH, as a program with a welfare approach, is considered by most participants as a tool which helps to cover practical gender needs. The findings of this research suggest that although some women have experienced positive impacts due to the BDH, such as covering basic needs and gaining access to financial services and loans, the program has had little to no impact on addressing strategic gender needs, such as empowerment or changes in gender roles.
Risa Whitson, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Julia Paxton, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Brad Jokisch, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
116 p.
Gender Studies; Latin American Studies; Public Policy; Social Research; Welfare; Womens Studies
Social Welfare; Social Safety Net; Social Protection; Conditional Cash Transfer; Ecuador; Loja; Bono de Desarrollo Humano; Poverty; Gender and Development; Women; Empowerment; Gender Roles; Gender Relations

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Padilla Herrera, A. M. (2020). Rural Women's Empowerment Through the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Loja, Ecuador [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1585909837570404

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Padilla Herrera, Andrea Michelle. Rural Women's Empowerment Through the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Loja, Ecuador. 2020. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1585909837570404.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Padilla Herrera, Andrea Michelle. "Rural Women's Empowerment Through the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Loja, Ecuador." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1585909837570404

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1585909837570404
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.