Abstract

This study investigates the role of Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme in enhancing the livelihoods of female-headed households. The research specifically examines changes in livelihoods resulting from SCT support, the challenges faced by beneficiaries, and the sustainability of positive impacts. Guided by the theory of change, which posits that cash transfers enhance household productivity by alleviating economic constraints, the study highlights SCT’s role since its initiation in 2006. Initially piloted in Mchinji and later expanded to eight additional districts, the SCT Programme aims to reduce poverty and hunger, improve school enrolment, and support vulnerable households lacking able-bodied adult members. The study adopted a qualitative research design where focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted in beneficiary communities and desk review was conducted on important documents regarding the programme. Findings indicate that the SCT Programme has improved the livelihoods of female-headed households, particularly through increased school enrolment and food security, enabling children from these households to access education and adequate nutrition. Further, the programme has empowered women economically, enhancing their resilience to economic shocks by allowing them to join savings groups and invest in small-scale businesses and livestock production. Participation in SCT has also facilitated social inclusion by encouraging women’s involvement in community affairs. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges remain. The study identifies the need for skill development components to improve sustainability, as current support focuses primarily on consumption without capacity-building for income generation. Beneficiaries face additional barriers, including exclusion from other development programs like subsidized farming inputs, the effects of currency devaluation on cash transfer adequacy, and inconsistent disbursement schedules. These issues hamper effective planning and increase dependency on debt. However, the study finds that SCT benefits are sustainable when participants leverage funds to invest in savings groups and livestock. Overall, while the SCT Programme contributes to improving livelihoods for female-headed households in Malawi, addressing its structural challenges is crucial to ensuring long-term impacts and alignment with Malawi’s Vision 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2025

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