Global: Doubts over role of cash transfers in women's empowerment

Doubts are emerging over whether cash transfers, designed to strengthen local markets, also empower women and change gender roles in emergencies. 'Gender relations are quite complex and you cannot assume US$50 is going to change that,' Sarah Bailey, research officer at the Humanitarian Policy Group, told IRIN. 'You cannot assume targeting women necessarily leads to their empowerment or promotes gender equality.' The issue is discussed in a joint report by Oxfam Great Britain and Concern Worldwide on cash transfers and gender dynamics, released on 6 May.