Development of a Specialized Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the 1000-Days Social Cash Transfer Pilot Project in Chipata District, Zambia

Levy Chikuwah Hartlane and Michael Kalumbu Nsefu
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Levy Chikuwah Hartlane: University of Lusaka
Michael Kalumbu Nsefu: University of Lusaka

African Journal of Commercial Studies, 2025, vol. 6, issue 6

Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the 1000-Days Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Gender and Nutrition-Sensitive pilot project in Chipata District, Zambia. The research aimed to evaluate the program's implementation fidelity, its impact on maternal and child nutritional status, and its effectiveness in promoting gender equity and women's empowerment in vulnerable households. A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing quantitative questionnaires administered to 379 beneficiary households alongside qualitative insights derived from 11 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Quantitative results were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Key quantitative findings indicated significant improvements in nutritional outcomes and gender empowerment. For children under 24 months, 75.2% consumed solid foods 3 to 5 times daily, and 52.8% of participants reported a significant improvement in their child's nutritional status. Pregnant and breastfeeding women displayed improved dietary practices, with 96.6% consuming dark green leafy vegetables. The project increased women's economic control and decision-making power, as 88.4% of payments were made to female heads of household or spouses, and 73.9% of female respondents felt much more or somewhat more confident in making decisions about their children's nutrition and health. Inferential analysis confirmed a statistically significant positive correlation (r=0.241, P

Keywords: Social cash transfer; monitoring and evaluation; nutrition; gender empowerment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I38 O22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwk:ajocsk:2025-15

DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v6.i6.16

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