Governmentality and gendered realities: experiences from the Philippines’ cash transfer programme

ABSTRACT

Social policies such as conditional cash transfer programmes (CCTs) have technical and measurable outcomes which are favourable for countries in the Global South, where development impact on health and education matters. This paper presents grounded narratives of women beneficiaries of the Philippines’ Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and outlines how conditionalities have reconfigured beliefs and conduct among these women. Using the concept of governmentality, the process of meeting programme conditions presents itself as a form of exercising power to configure the habits and beliefs of the population. The paper contributes to the critical discourses, challenges and normative views on the impact of CCTs.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender and diversity
• Social sector
• Labour and livelihoods – Poverty reduction
• Aid – Development policies

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the granting permission to conduct the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Maria Kristina G. Alinsunurin

Maria Kristina G. Alinsunurin is a PhD student in the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan, and Assistant Professor in the College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños.