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- Convenors:
-
Suman Seth
(University of Leeds)
Deniz Sevinc (City Region Economic and Development Institute)
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- Formats:
- Papers Mixed
- Stream:
- Practicalities of aid
- Sessions:
- Thursday 18 June, -
Time zone: Europe/London
Short Abstract:
The panel welcomes papers that contribute in the following areas: (i) propose novel methodological improvements to multidimensional poverty measurement, (ii) apply multidimensional techniques to assess poverty empirically, (iii) evaluate a programme impact on multidimensional poverty.
Long Abstract:
One of the most important global challenges of recent times has been 'leaving no one behind'. Among various pledges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Target 1.2 calls for reducing 'at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions'. In order to meet this target in a timely manner, poverty alleviation programmes should be well-directed and should be supported by appropriate measurement methods. There ought to be appropriate techniques for evaluating the impacts of these programmes as well as monitoring their progress. It is therefore no surprise that there are ongoing and new initiatives in multidimensional poverty measurements. In light of the conference theme and the surge of interest and new as well as ongoing developments in poverty measurement, the Study Group on Multidimensional Poverty and Poverty Dynamics proposes a panel on the measurement and applications of poverty from a multidimensional perspective. The panel welcomes papers that contribute in the following areas: (i) propose novel methodological improvements to multidimensional poverty measurement, (ii) apply multidimensional techniques to assess poverty empirically, (iii) evaluate a programme impact on multidimensional poverty.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 18 June, 2020, -Kehinde Oluwaseun Omotoso (University of South Africa) Taiwo Frances Gbadegesin (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti Nigeria) Jimi Adesina (University of South Africa)
Paper short abstract:
This paper makes both methodological and empirical contributions to the literature. The methodological contribution involves the adaptation of the AF multidimensional poverty method to construct several vulnerability thresholds, while the empirical contribution entails testing the method on a survey
Paper long abstract:
The definition and measurement of poverty continue to dominate both public and academic space in most developing countries, where policy efforts are being continuously geared towards strengthening social protection and network to alleviate poverty. However, a key concern in the poverty literature is that emphasis is usually on the poor or poorest individuals. There are scarcely empirical studies that examine the vulnerable non-poor individuals, who might narrowly miss predetermined poverty threshold(s) and are usually susceptible to poverty at any slightest negative socio-economic shock. Thus, previous empirical studies tend to underestimate the size of the population that is vulnerable to poverty. Using the theoretical frameworks that define individuals in terms of their (in)vulnerability to poverty, this paper makes both methodological and empirical contributions to the poverty literature. The methodological contribution involves the adaptation of the Alkire-Foster multidimensional poverty approach to construct several vulnerability thresholds/indices around the borderlines of multidimensional poverty cut-off. The empirical contribution entails using the method on South African datasets to estimate the vulnerability of non-poor individuals to multidimensional poverty, and compare the vulnerability index with poverty and chronic poverty indices. Finding indicates that the proportion of vulnerable individuals remains relatively higher than those in chronic poverty. Further finding suggests that providing decent and stable employment could be a more effective escape route from poverty and vulnerability. The findings portend the potential usefulness of the vulnerability index as a tool for informing and reviewing future socio-economic policies and interventions which could further improve social welfare.
Khaufelo Raymond Lekobane (University of Sussex)
Paper short abstract:
Household-based multidimensional poverty measures including the global-MPI are unable to capture possible intrahousehold inequalities in resource allocation and to distinguish individual poverty within the household. This study adopts individual as the unit of analysis using data from Botswana.
Paper long abstract:
Poverty is multidimensional in nature and hence its operationalisation needs measures that capture and combines the various dimensions in an adequate manner that leaves no one behind. The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has reinforced interest in multidimensional poverty measures. SDG 1 (target 1.2) calls for ending poverty in all its forms for all people of all ages according to national definitions. This target acknowledges that (1) poverty is multidimensional in nature; (2) poverty is an individual concept; and (3) poverty measurement should be aligned to national definitions.
Notwithstanding this, household-based multidimensional poverty measures including the global-MPI have been widely used. However, using the household as a unit of analysis has not escaped criticism since it leads to underestimation of the levels of poverty in the society. Household measures are unable to capture possible intrahousehold inequalities in resource allocation and to distinguish individual poverty within the household. Considering the limitations of the household-based measures, the analysis performed in this study adopts individual as the unit of analysis. Using data from Botswana, the main objective of this study is to operationalise the leave no one behind (LNOB) principle by estimating an individual-level multidimensional poverty measure employing the theoretical premises of the capability approach. LNOB principle calls for data disaggregation by demographic, economic and geographical variables to identify intersecting inequalities across the society. To the best of my knowledge, this study constitutes the first attempt in Botswana and will contribute to the conceptual aspects of the study of multidimensional poverty.
Daniele Malerba (German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)) Francesco Burchi (German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS))
Paper short abstract:
The paper assesses, for the first time, the claim of a feminization of poverty through a new individual-level index of multidimensional poverty (the G-CSPI). The cross-country analysis shows a small process of feminization of poverty since 2000, due to a slow decline in employment poverty for women
Paper long abstract:
It has been often argued that there are significant and increasing gender disparities in poverty, with women experiencing larger deprivations. However, so far, it has been impossible to adequately assess the intensity of the gender disparities in both income and multidimensional poverty, especially for low- and middle-income countries. This is because poverty is measured at household level.
This paper tries to reveal gender disparities in poverty, by adopting a new index of multidimensional poverty, called Global Correlation Sensitive Poverty Index (G-CSPI). The G-CSPI has two fundamental advantages over the existing indices in addressing this question. First, it is an individual measure, as it focuses on adults in the 15-65 age group. Therefore, we can differentiate the individual poverty status of different individuals living in the same household. Second, it focuses on key dimensions for women, in particular education and decent work.
The analysis relies on a total sample of 60 low- and middle-income countries, for which data for multiple years are available. The preliminary analysis reveals no significant gender disparities in poverty in 2000 at the global level. However, since 2000 multidimensional poverty declined slightly more among men than women, indicating a minimal process of feminization of poverty. This was triggered by the decline in employment poverty, which was much slower among women. Given that the (few) existing studies focusing on high-income or upper middle-income countries concluded that there was no evidence for a feminization of poverty, this is a novel finding in the literature.
Christopher Ngosa (Ngosa Development Consultancy)
Paper short abstract:
Poverty in Africa remains a great challenge. Due to its multidimensionality nature, there has always been conflicting views on the best approaches in its measurements and an effective methodology for its eradication. The Sustainable Livelihood approach (SLA) is prescribed and Academicians are best suited to use this approach.
Paper long abstract:
Africa is faced by a lot of challenges ranging from political, economic and social cultural problems. Poverty is one of the major challenges which different actors have taken keen interest in eradicating from an international, regional and local level. A lot of initiatives such as the Millennium Development goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and approaches such as the sustainable livelihoods (SLA) have been used which prioritize the eradication of poverty. What is important is having an approach which aims to reduce the vulnerability of the poor, uplifting their potentialities/capabilities not their needs, making them participate in finding ways to eradicate their poverty and making sure that these livelihoods are sustainable. The Sustainable Livelihood approach should be encouraged if we are to have a true measurement concerning the multidimensionality of poverty and if poverty is to be eradicated in Africa. Then who is to take the leadership role in ensuring that this approach works in eradicating poverty in Africa? African Politicians have failed using this approach as they are among the most corrupt politicians in the World, pocketing aid meant for a sustainable livelihood such as social cash transfer. NGOs and the private sector can only reach certain limits in eradicating poverty. The responsibility to save Africa out of poverty lies with Academicians who through accurate and objectivity in monitoring and evaluating projects being implemented by African governments, donors, NGOs and private sectors and who fully understand the dynamics of this approach.