An Integrated Approach to Increasing Women's Empowerment and Reducing Domestic Violence: Results of a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in a West African Country

Abstract

Objective: This is the first experimental study testing the effects of an economic intervention alone and in combination with a family-focused component, on women's empowerment status and family violence in Burkina Faso.

Method: The three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial with baseline and one-year follow-up included 360 ultra-poor married women from 12 villages. Villages were randomized to the three study arms: economic intervention for women (Trickle Up/TU), a combination of economic intervention and family coaching (Trickle Up Plus), and waitlist (Control arm). Analysis utilized repeated-measures mixed effects regressions.

Results: Compared to the control group, there was a significant improvement in both the TU arm and the TU Plus arm in women's financial autonomy and in quality of marital relationships. In addition, women in both intervention arms reported a significant reduction in emotional spousal violence in the past year, with the effect size greater for the combined intervention (TU group OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.10,0.82 p=0.02 and TU+ group OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.06,0.64, p=0.007).

Conclusions: Economic intervention shows benefits that go beyond changes in financial wellbeing and may increase women's status and improve family relationships. Integrating psychosocial components with economic strategies may be more effective for improving women's empowerment status in West Africa.

Keywords: West Africa; economic strengthening; intimate partner violence; violence prevention; women’s empowerment.

Figures

Figure 1.

The CONSORT study flow chart