In a groundbreaking new study published in Nature Human Behaviour, researchers have conducted an extensive systematic review and meta-analysis that sheds light on the complex interplay between social safety nets and women’s economic achievements across 45 countries. This highly comprehensive investigation offers unprecedented insights into how social protection programs impact women’s economic participation, decision-making power, and overall agency, revealing nuanced dynamics that could shape policy interventions globally.
Economic empowerment of women remains a central focus for development agendas worldwide. Although decades of efforts have sought to enhance women’s access to economic opportunities, the actual mechanisms facilitating or hindering progress are not always clearly understood. Social safety nets, designed to provide financial support and reduce vulnerabilities, are increasingly recognized as potential game changers. However, the heterogeneity of these programs and the varying socio-political contexts in which they operate complicate assessments of their true efficacy. The new meta-analysis addresses this gap by aggregating data across a wide spectrum of countries and program types to distill generalizable findings.
This study systematically reviews available research, synthesizing quantitative outcomes related to women’s earnings, asset ownership, labor market participation, and entrepreneurial activities, while also evaluating shifts in personal agency and decision-making power within households and communities. The scale of analysis, encompassing diverse regions and development stages, enables a comparison of effects in low-, middle-, and high-income settings, illuminating how context shapes program success. By doing so, it provides a robust evidence base to guide future policy design and implementation.
One of the most striking findings is that social safety nets consistently bolster women’s economic achievements, albeit with varying degrees of impact depending on program structure and societal norms. Cash transfer programs, public works initiatives, and in-kind support display differentiated effects; cash transfers tend to have the most robust associations with increased income generation and asset accumulation. These financial stimuli encourage investment in microenterprises and improve creditworthiness, creating pathways for sustained economic inclusion among women.
Beyond direct economic outcomes, the research highlights significant enhancements in women’s agency as a result of social safety nets. Agency here is conceptualized as the capacity to make autonomous choices and exert control over one’s life circumstances. Programs that integrate conditionalities, for example requiring children’s school attendance or health check-ups, inadvertently amplify women’s bargaining power within households by positioning them as key decision-makers in resource allocation. This empowerment effect is crucial, as agency is intricately linked to long-term economic and social well-being.
The meta-analysis also exposes critical challenges associated with social safety net implementation. In particular, it underlines persistent gender biases embedded within social norms, which can undermine the potential benefits for women. In certain contexts, increased control over financial resources by women sometimes triggers backlash or exacerbates intra-household tensions, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive program design. Furthermore, the review reveals that benefits are frequently unevenly distributed, with women in marginalized or rural communities often experiencing diminished access or effectiveness.
Importantly, the study underscores how complementary interventions enhance the impact of social safety nets on women’s outcomes. Linkages to skills training, financial literacy programs, and market access initiatives amplify the effects of cash or in-kind transfers. When women receive holistic support that combines safety nets with capacity-building and enabling environments, the gains are more pronounced and sustainable. This finding advocates for integrated policy approaches rather than isolated program efforts.
The authors further examine the role of digital technology in enhancing social safety nets’ reach and efficiency. Digital platforms facilitate targeted transfer delivery, reduce leakages, and allow for better tracking of outcomes. The digitization of social protection mechanisms appears especially promising in increasing accessibility for women, offering anonymity and reducing stigma that often accompany participation. However, the review reiterates that digital divides must be addressed to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities.
Intriguingly, the research also delves into the psychological and behavioral dimensions associated with women’s engagement in social safety nets. Increased financial security reduces stress and anxiety, contributing to improved mental health and social participation. The enhanced confidence women derive from these programs often translates into greater public engagement and heightened aspirations, catalyzing broader societal shifts toward gender equality.
From a policy perspective, the findings suggest that social safety nets should be viewed not merely as welfare mechanisms but as strategic instruments for gender empowerment and economic development. Tailoring program designs to account for local gender dynamics, integrating conditionalities aligned with empowerment goals, and investing in complementary services are critical recommendations emerging from the analysis. Additionally, continuous monitoring and adaptive management can ensure that unintended negative consequences are mitigated promptly.
The study’s rigorous methodological approach, employing meta-analytic techniques to reconcile results from diverse studies, adds valuable credibility to its conclusions. By quantifying effect sizes and exploring moderating factors, the researchers provide a nuanced understanding that transcends simplistic narratives. Such detailed synthesis is vital for informing international organizations, policymakers, and funders who seek to optimize the impact of social protection schemes targeting women.
In sum, this landmark research offers compelling evidence that social safety nets are pivotal in advancing women’s economic achievements and agency globally. Recognizing the multidimensional nature of empowerment, the study calls for policies that blend financial support with social, educational, and technological interventions. As the world intensifies efforts to achieve gender parity and inclusive growth, these insights herald a new era of evidence-based, gender-responsive social protection.
Moving forward, the authors advocate for more granular, longitudinal research to capture long-term trajectories and intergenerational effects of social safety nets on women’s lives. There is also a pressing need to explore intersectionality in greater depth, considering how factors such as ethnicity, disability, and age intersect with gender to influence outcomes. Strengthening data systems and harmonizing indicators across countries will facilitate such advanced analysis.
This pioneering meta-analysis reshapes the discourse on social safety nets and gender by presenting a clear, data-driven roadmap to harness these tools for transformative social change. It invites policymakers worldwide to reevaluate existing programs through a gender lens and commit to investments that uplift women economically and socially. The power of social protection, harnessed wisely, could indeed pave the way toward a more just and equitable global society.
Subject of Research: Social safety nets and their impact on women’s economic achievements and agency across multiple countries.
Article Title: Social safety nets, women’s economic achievements and agency in 45 countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article References:
Peterman, A., Wang, J., Kamto Sonke, K. et al. Social safety nets, women’s economic achievements and agency in 45 countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nat Hum Behav (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02394-0
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