Cross cutting issues

When household members have access to better health care, they feel fitter, more protected and confident, and are more eager to seek and embrace innovation.

This boosts their capacity to be more productive, which leads to higher incomes.

More than 20 per cent of women who have improved access to water have about 30 extra minutes a day to invest in other activities such as economic pursuits, childcare and personal development. In places where improved access to water used for agriculture is combined with adequate training and extension services, there are significant positive effects on productivity, poverty reduction, food security and nutrition.

Investments in education, including training, capacity building in school committees and local governments, and new or improved infrastructure, boost economic performance. These investments encourage people to participate more in networks, improve household, business and farm management, and be innovative when it comes to accessing information and markets. People have better awareness of health, hygiene, nutrition and food security issues. Significantly, women who are literate take a more active role in reducing poverty and establishing preventive health measures in the household.

This multisector approach contributes to stabilizing migration. New opportunities in agriculture, combined with better access to social and marketing infrastructure, keep young people closer to home, as long as land and water are available and there are opportunities for trade, fresh cash injections and networking.

The study showed that, through the social components of the Joint Programme, it is possible to improve the well-being of very poor people. In combination with adapted agricultural interventions, 13 per cent more poor households take part in economic sector activities.