From Cash to Deposits: Effects on Women’s Status andWell-being

Abstract

We study the short term effects of an experiment which transitioned conditional cash transfer beneficiaries from receiving benefits in cash at temporary payment modules to receiving benefits through account deposits on women’s status, work and financial inclusion. The experiment was implemented in the context of the Mexican Prospera program in 150 communities in the state of Hidalgo. Our results suggest an immediate and important positive impact of the transition to deposits on women’s control of resources in the household.We study the short term effects of an experiment which transitioned conditional cash transferbeneficiaries from receiving benefits in cash at temporary payment modules to receiving benefitsthrough account deposits on women’s status, work and financial inclusion. The experiment wasimplemented in the context of the Mexican Prospera program in 150 communities in the stateof Hidalgo. Our results suggest an immediate and important positive impact of the transition todeposits on women’s control of resources in the household.