EDUCATE THE GIRLS: THE EFFECTS OF GENDER TARGETED CASH TRANSFERS ON FEMALE SCHOOLING AND EARLY MARRIAGE IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

This study examined the Zewar-e-Taleem Program, a cash transfer scheme in Punjab, Pakistan that provided money to families to encourage girls to attend school. The research used district-level survey data from 2019-20 to compare outcomes in areas with and without the program. The program increased female school enrollment and raised the age at which adolescent girls marry, suggesting that financial incentives linked to education can help keep girls in school and delay early marriage.

Key points

• The Zewar-e-Taleem Program is a gender-targeted conditional cash transfer initiative in underprivileged districts of Punjab
• The program resulted in increased female enrollment in public schools
• The program contributed to a substantial decrease in the proportion of adolescent girls entering early marriage
• Results show the program's effectiveness compared to a control group
• The study uses district-level data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement survey for 2019-20

Limitations

The study relies on district-level aggregate data rather than individual-level data, which limits the ability to understand causal mechanisms or identify which household or individual characteristics matter most. The abstract does not provide specific quantitative findings (effect sizes or percentages), making it difficult to assess the magnitude of the impact.