Social inclusion of marginalized groups in society is both an outcome and a process, related only partly to poverty and inequality. Yet in its warped form of adverse social inclusion or even social exclusion, chronic poverty can emerge. As such, poverty reduction requires not only overcoming social exclusion, but going beyond that to prevent adverse inclusion and nurture beneficial forms of inclusion.

This study explores social inclusion of poor women and children as both process and outcome in Niger and Malawi. It asks: How do social and economic inclusion of women affect social inclusion outcomes in health and education of children in households escaping poverty? It also explores what policy implications of the research may be drawn, with a focus on the inclusion of the poorest households and communities and how this can in turn strengthen social cohesion.

A key message of this study is that despite much higher levels of human development investment in Malawi than Niger, economic inclusion is needed in both countries to activate inclusion in human development services and better outcomes.

Author: Vidya Diwakar

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