Social groups who are routinely excluded from access to basic services may need to be effectively targeted. Over the long-term, progress on equitable access has been made in some cases where there has been a consistent commitment to pro-poor policies among key political leaders. Elsewhere, success has been seen where the poor or marginalised are involved in the design of local services. Community engagement has proven particularly significant for addressing social norms that generate inequality of school enrolment between girls and boys, for example.
Yazbeck, A. (2009). A Menu of Pro-poor Policies. In Attacking Inequality in the Health Sector: A Synthesis of Evidence and Tools (pp. 157-172). Washington, D.C: World Bank.
Several successful programmes addressing the problem of health care inequality have been documented in recent years. This chapter draws on 14 such case studies to suggest general lessons learned. It presents a menu of pro-poor policies, and identifies recurring themes and emerging ‘rules of thumb’. Success in reducing inequality can be achieved through programmes that are: developed with an empirical and exploratory spirit; crafted with input from the poor; responsive to specific local realities; and continually evaluated and adjusted.
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Save the Children UK. (2008). Making Schools Inclusive: How Change Can Happen. London: Save the Children UK.
What can NGOs do to promote inclusiveness in the school systems of developing countries? This book uses the experience of Save the Children UK and its partners to identify what changes are needed for school systems to become inclusive of all children, and how these can be leveraged. The experience of national education teams working for Save the Children provides insight into the approaches that have worked best.
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UNIFEM. (2009). A User’s Guide to Measuring Gender-Sensitive Basic Service Delivery. Oslo: UN Development Program.
This guide is intended to contribute to the development and more effective use of gender-sensitive indicators so that services are delivered more efficiently and effectively to women.
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Pose, R. & Samuels, F. (2011). Bangladesh’s progress in health: Healthy partnerships and effective pro-poor targeting. London: Overseas Development Institute.
Infant and child mortality rates have reduced dramatically in Bangladesh. Immunisation coverage has rocketed and life expectancy has risen steadily. A few key converging factors have contributed to these achievements. The government of Bangladesh has shown policy continuity and commitment to targeting the poor, women and children. Innovative practices and approaches for targeting and empowering the most vulnerable, together with effective partnerships with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), have contributed to these successes. See full text
Engel, J. & Cossou, M. (2011). Benin’s progress in education: Expanding access and closing the gender gap. London: Overseas Development Institute.
Substantial improvements in access and equity in education has been made in Benin, with limited institutional capacity. Three interlinked factors have been central to this. First, successive governments since 1990 have made access to education for all children a constitutional right and a central policy objective. Second, development partners have provided substantial funding and technical expertise. Finally, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working at local levels have been instrumental in addressing constraints and increasing demand for education. The case also highlights the importance of engaging with parents – especially mothers – and community elders to increase recognition of the importance of equitable access for boys and girls.
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For further resources, see section on tackling exclusion: sectoral aid in the GSDRC’s topic guide on social exclusion.