A case for rethinking the gender targeting of child cash transfers in Brazil and South Africa: Assessing caregiver sex in determining stunting in child beneficiaries

Abstract

Little is known about the effects of the receipt of child-centred cash transfers by men. This article tests whether caregiver sex matters in determining stunting (low height for age) in child beneficiaries of Brazil's Bolsa Família and South Africa's Child Support Grant using household survey data. Overall, we find that caregivers’ socioeconomic and education status are more influential alongside the region of residence. However, among households at intermediate levels of poverty, female recipients are significantly less likely to have stunted children. Improving the complementary service environment while encouraging more men to apply for benefits and to assume caregiving responsibilities could be a transformative, gender-sensitive policy intervention.