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From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

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FROM POVERTY TO POWERIn water services, user fees can encourage sustainable use of a finiteresource. It is crucial, however, that the structure and affordability ofwater tariffs are managed in order <strong>to</strong> achieve equitable access for poorpeople. In Por<strong>to</strong> Alegre, Brazil, water consumption is subsidised, withthe first 10,000 litres discounted <strong>to</strong> the price of 4,000 litres. In Uganda,the water utility NWSC provides community water points that aremanaged by private individuals, where the price of water is publicisedat the tap and is much lower than that of water provided by privatevendors. 50Too often, economists focus on the efficiencies of production andallocation under existing structures and constraints, and ignoredeeply embedded discrimination against poor people, and poorwomen in particular. Overcoming the exclusion of women first ofall requires the acknowledgement of their rights. Measures such aspromoting women as health and education workers, at the front lineof delivering services, will also encourage other women and girls <strong>to</strong>use those services. In Mali, animatrices, local women who work withparents <strong>to</strong> convince them of the importance of sending girls <strong>to</strong> school,have achieved some notable successes. In Palestine, where the vastmajority of teachers are women, net primary enrolment rates areamong the highest in the Middle East and 97 per cent of girls go on <strong>to</strong>secondary school.Women’s access <strong>to</strong> services can also be boosted by ensuring thatsocial protection payments put cash in their hands (see Part 4).Mexico’s PROGRESA programme reaches over 2.6 million ruralhouseholds and links cash benefits and nutritional supplements <strong>to</strong>manda<strong>to</strong>ry participation in health and education programmes.Several design features directly target women. Mothers are designatedas beneficiaries and receive the cash transfers. The entire family – primarilypregnant and lactating mothers and children under five years –is required <strong>to</strong> follow a schedule of clinic visits, and women attendmonthly health education lectures. Children must achieve an 80 percent rate of school attendance, and financial incentives are slightlyhigher for girls’ attendance. PROGRESA has had a positive impact onchild and adult health, has increased household food expenditure, andhas increased women’s control over their additional income. 5150

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