Vocational and business training to improve women's labour market outcomes in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

This Campbell systematic review examines the impact of vocational and business training targeted at women in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The review summarises evidence from thirty‐five quantitative studies with an experimental or quasi‐experimental design. The review summarises the impact of 30 interventions, containing data from over 80,000 women. The qualitative narrative meta‐synthesis includes findings from 50 studies. Included studies are experimental and quasi‐experimental evaluations which measured the impact of vocational and business training programmes targeting women 18 years or older, in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The review also includes qualitative and mixed‐methods studies that explore barriers to, and facilitators of, vocational and business training effectiveness. Vocational training has small positive effects: employment and formal employment increased by 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively, and income by 6 percent. There is some variability in the findings. Effects are larger in programmes with a gender focus. Effects on earnings, but not employment, are larger in programmes that include life skills training or an internship. Employment effects are larger in Africa and Asia. Effects are stronger six months after the start of the programme than twelve months after the start of the programme. Vocational training programmes were commonly outsourced without establishing adequate quality control procedures or monitoring mechanisms that may undermine effectiveness. Business training combined with cash transfers or life skills training increases the likelihood of self‐employment by 73 percent, and sales or profits by 7 percent. Business training with cash transfers did not have different effects from business training without cash transfers. Effects on sales are larger in sub‐Saharan Africa (15 percent). This larger effect may be caused by the stronger gender focus of those programmes. The positive effects on sales and profits appear driven by the inclusion of mentoring and technical assistance components that enhance business knowledge and practices. Structural barriers, such as distance and cost of transportation, time constraints for participation, and economic and labour market barriers, limit programme effectiveness. Gender norms such as occupational segregation and the unequal division of domestic and care responsibilities, as well as the cost and availability of childcare facilities also discourage women?s participation in vocational and business training. Plain language summary Vocational and business training benefit women on the labour market, but the effects of most programmes are smallVocational training has small positive effects on employment, formal employment, earnings, and income. The review in briefVocational training has small positive effects on employment, formal employment, and earnings. Business training combined with other programme components has positive effects on self‐employment, and sales or profits. These relatively small effects may be insufficient to jus...

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