Women’s status and qualitative perceptions of a cash assistance programme in Raqqa Governorate,Syria

ABSTRACT

Cash and voucher assistance is an efficient way to deliver assistance in emergency settings, and evidence demonstrates that cash programmes have consistent positive impacts on food security and other health and economic outcomes in these contexts. Nevertheless, while evidence from development settings shows that cash has the potential to reduce intimate partner violence and increase empowerment for women and girls, there is a dearth of rigorous evidence from acute humanitarian settings. In response to this evidence gap, the International Rescue Committee conducted an evaluation of a cash programme in Raqqa Governorate, Syria. The aim was to examine the effect of a cash for basic needs programme on outcomes of violence against women, and women’s empowerment. This article draws on qualitative data from interviews with 40 women at the end of the cash programme. It offers evidence of potential increased tension and abuse within both the community and the household for some women whose families received cash, as well as potential increased social protection through repayment of debts and economic independence for others. Both negative and positive effects could be seen. While the objective of the cash programme was not to influence underlying power dynamics, this research shows it is necessary to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into programme design and monitoring to reduce risk to women of diverse identities.     

The effects of ability on returns to over‐ and under‐education: Evidence from Malaysia

In Malaysia, skilled‐job creation does not match the rising number of tertiary‐educated workers. The resultant accumulation of skill and ability competencies and work experience raises the question of the extent to which this enhances (mitigates) the wage premium (penalty) of over‐education (under‐education). Using data collected in Peninsular Malaysia in 2015, the authors estimate the effects of ability on returns to education. Their findings suggest that improving specific types of ability may be a means of rectifying wage deficiencies resulting from over‐ and under‐education. On this basis, human resource development in schools and in the workplace should focus on developing job‐specific workplace abilities.     

L'effet de la qualification globale sur les rendements de la suréducation et de la sous‐éducation: résultats pour la Malaisie

En Malaisie, l'offre d'emplois qualifiés ne suffit pas à absorber l'afflux de diplômés du supérieur, une situation qui pourrait renforcer la prime salariale des travailleurs surdiplômés et réduire la pénalité salariale des sous‐diplômés. Dans ce contexte, les auteurs s'intéressent à l'effet des compétences au sens large (la «qualification globale») sur ces distorsions, en exploitant des données d'enquête recueillies en 2015 en Malaisie péninsulaire. L'analyse montre que la détention de certaines compétences limite les pénalités induites par les défauts d'appariement sous l'angle du niveau de diplôme. Les établissements de formation et les entreprises auraient donc intérêt à promouvoir l'acquisition de capacités spécifiquement liées à l'emploi.