Greater than the Sum of the Parts? Evidence on Mechanisms Operating in Women’s Groups
Dìaz-Martin et al. (2020) compare interventions delivered through women’s groups and individual-based interventions to determine if the former offers unique benefits.
Their literature review found three key takeaways.
Group-based models can reach large groups of women at once with resources, information and training. They offer a platform for intervention delivery.
Women’s groups do not generate impacts outside of their core function, unless there is intentional layering of content within the program design. For example, financial groups are effective at increasing access to financial services and resources, but they may not lead to changes in violence against women, decision-making, aspirations, self-efficacy, or support for gender-equitable norms unless content relating to gender-specific issues is also introduced.
Social interactions among group members generate positive impacts, in addition to the content and the resources they are receiving. The groups create and/or strengthen women’s social networks, which in turn can lead to increased political participation, risk sharing and adolescents spending less time in risky settings.