The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the

views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

MEXICOS OPORTUNIDADES: GENDER ORIENTED INTERVENTIONS

LAURA DVILA LRRAGA

April, 2013

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Empowerment: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence(1)

There is widespread evidence that, on average, women are more likely to spend on food, health and education of their children. Gender orientation of the Program: Oportunidades puts bimonthly cash transfers in the hands of the mother (generally) of the beneficiary household1 so called titulares. Cash transfers aim to increase their participation within the main household decisions Programs staff and titulares have regular meetings and they may have sessions on self-esteem and human development.
1. Source: 2012 Oportunidades Operating Guidelines.

Oportunidades: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (2)

Evidence: Results from the mid term impact evaluation in urban areas point that: beneficiary women were involved 7.3% more than non-beneficiary women in the decision of bringing the children to health check-ups and 11.8% more in decisions regarding the school attendance of the children that want to drop out1. Qualitative studies have found that: (1) women empowerment has proved to be a protection factor against intra-household violence. (2) Oportunidades has been instrumental in transforming the traditional role of women. Communities and families now have higher expectations about the future of young women. (3) Titulares feel more self-confident and enjoy building networks with other women. External Impact Evaluation Source: Oportunidades

1.

Education: some policy decisions... some facts... some results (1)

In poor households, girls often do not attend school because
parents do not expect positive returns from their education in terms of future income1. In 1996 (prior to the Program), in rural marginalized areas, 65% of the 15 year old boys of non-poor households attended school vs. 45% of the boys of poor households did attend. Meanwhile, 48% of the 15 year old girls of non-poor households attended school vs. only 35% of the girls of poor households did attend1.

Source: Progresa (1998), Lineamientos del Programa de Educacin, Salud y

Education: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (2)

In 1994, the median age for school dropout of children from poor households was 14 years, while the median

age was 17 years for non-poor children1.

Supporting school attendance of girls has a potential double effect: improve their personal, social and economic situation and it is more likely to change the balance the power within their household when they

get married.
1. Source: Levy, Santiago and Evelyne Rodrguez (2005), Sin herencia de Pobreza.

Education: some policy decisions... some facts... some results (3)

Gender orientation of the Program: Oportunidades educational grants begin in grades 412 (1-12 in rural areas), increase progressively and are slightly higher for girls after 6 grade.

Evidence: Long term impact evaluation in rural areas points out that girls achieved an additional 0.85 grade of schooling while impact on boys was 0.65 grade of schooling2 (both in comparison with children from non-beneficiary households)1.
1. Source: Oportunidades External Impact Evaluation

Health: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (1)

In 1995, the fertility rate of women from poor households was 5.1 children per woman, while the rate was 2.5 in non-poor households. Of these, 56% of the poor women (vs. 71% of non-poor

women) used a contraceptive method1.

This justifies the need to include specific interventions focused on health care of women (including education), with emphasis in fertility issues.
1. Source: Levy, Santiago and Evelyne Rodrguez (2005), Sin herencia de Pobreza.

Health: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (2)

Gender orientation of the Program: The Program targeted a set of health interventions to women of beneficiary households (they are specific to their age group) which includes educational sessions on family planning. Evidence: In rural areas, a descriptive analysis of the Programs data shows that: in the long term, the use of a contraceptive method has increased over time among women of reproductive age (in 1998, 36% of women used a contraceptive method, while in 2003 , 42% used them and in 2007, 57% used 1. Source: Oportunidades External Impact Evaluation them1).

Health: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (3)

In 1997 (prior to the Program), maternal mortality rate was around 80 deaths per 100,000 births1. Interventions related to health care of women during pregnancy and delivery are strongly needed to avoid more deaths. Gender orientation of the Program: Program provides and incentivizes the use of a package of health services, which includes prenatal care, and health care for pregnant and postpartum. Evidence: Mid term impact evaluation in rural areas points out that maternal mortality was reduced by 11% due to the Program interventions2.
1. Source: National Institute of Public Health (INSP). 2. Source: Oportunidades External Impact Evaluation

Health: some policy decisions... some facts... some evidence (4)

In 1997 (prior to the Program), maternal mortality rate was around 80 deaths per 100,000 births1. Interventions related to health care of women during pregnancy and delivery are strongly needed to avoid more deaths. Gender orientation of the Program: Program provides and incentivizes the use of a package of health services, which includes prenatal care, and health care for pregnant and postpartum. Evidence: Mid term impact evaluation in rural areas points out that maternal mortality was reduced by 11% due to the Program interventions2.
1. Source: National Institute of Public Health (INSP). 2. Source: Oportunidades External Impact Evaluation

THANK YOU.
Laura Dvila Lrraga Consultant lauradavilalarraga@gmail.co m Oportunidades website: www.oportunidades.gob.mx (Spanish and English version)

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