Care, Cash Transfers and Culture: Women and Social Protection in the Pacific

Please note that this is a hybrid event. For online attendance please sign up to obtain the Zoom link. Access link will be delivered via email upon registration.

Reducing poverty and inequality particularly gender equality is a pervasive challenge globally and a pressing issue in the international development sector. In the Pacific region, the advancement of gender equality and economic growth are central on the international development policy and practice agenda. State-based social protection schemes, particularly social assistance as cash transfers programs, are increasingly being promoted and used in the Pacific to address poverty, inequality and other forms of vulnerability due to economic shocks, disaster and climate change. Formal social protection programs co-exist with traditional social safety nets which are integral in maintaining collective and individual wellbeing. This research focuses on cash transfer programs that aim to support women’s unpaid care work through schemes such as child, maternity, care and poverty allowances. It will explore women’s experiences of these programs in the context of traditional cultural systems, development and gendered social norms. The proposed research includes case studies of Cook Islands, Fiji and Marshall Islands. This Confirmation of Candidature seminar will outline Hilary’s thesis proposal with a focus on the research background, approach and fieldwork.

Speaker

Hilary Gorman has worked in the development sector in the Pacific for the past 15 years as a researcher and development practitioner. She has worked for a range of development actors including non-government organisations, Pacific Island governments and bilateral and multilateral organisations. Her research focuses on social policy particularly social protection and gender equality and social inclusion.