Penalization of people living in poverty 2011, para. 53

Paragraph
Paragraph text
Onerous conditions are often attached to the receipt of social benefits in order to gain political support and assure the public that only the "deserving" poor are receiving support. For example, some conditional cash transfer programmes in low- and middle-income countries pay cash to heads of households (generally women) in exchange for their commitment to do something in return, such as enrolling children in school and ensuring their attendance, or participating in health programmes. Although these conditions do encourage investment in human capital, they also impose additional burdens on women, whose needs are often ignored in designing the programme. The lack of a serious gender approach may perpetuate gender stereotypes about traditional household roles and responsibilities, and trigger domestic violence.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Economic Rights
  • Gender
Person(s) affected
  • Children
  • Women
Year
2011
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
53