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Addressing the Weak Link in COVID-19 Relief: How Improving Strategic Communications Can Boost the Impact of Social Protection Programs
In response to COVID-19, 212 countries have planned or implemented more than 1,100 social protection programs to help over 1.8 billion people. But as Arshi Aadil and Abhishek Jain at MicroSave (MSC) point out, many intended recipients don’t know about the benefits they're eligible for, or how to access these funds. They explore how governments and program administrators can improve their communication and outreach.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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Beyond the ‘Public vs. Private’ Debate in Global Education: Helping the Schools That Serve the World’s Neediest Children Survive COVID-19
COVID-19 is preventing low-fee private schools from serving the estimated 258 million children who lack access to education. And according to Irene D. Pritzker at IDP Foundation, these “mom and pop” schools lack access to the resources that could help them survive the pandemic. She urges the development sector to support them – and in the process, to move past outdated debates about public versus private schools in emerging countries.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Education
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Viewpoint: MFIs Revival: Does India Really Need a New Microfinance Institution?
Instead of promoting a new social microfinance institution, the government should build on the existing and vibrant microfinance sector to cater to its envisioned need.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Zimbabwe Is Squeezing Its Top Mobile Money Platform for Users’ Data as It Clamps Down on the Media
The government has been at odds with the EcoCash for several months as its currency crisis and economic woes have spiraled out of its control. Last month Zimbabwe’s central bank slammed EcoCash for running, what it called, a Ponzi scheme.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- data, financial services, fintech, government, LMICs, mobile money
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Digital Identity Initiatives for Government Services See a Mix of Progress and Delay
“There is a strong push by the government for a national digital ID, which will be used by government and private sectors, to meet the needs to identify individuals accessing e-services and authenticate other secure transactions,” said NEC Corp of Malaysia Sdn Bhd MD Chong Kai Wooi.
- Categories
- Technology
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Zimbabwe Accuses Mobile Phone Operator Econet of Money Laundering
Zimbabwean police have issued a warrant against the largest mobile phone operator Econet Wireless to hand over a list of its mobile money transactions and subscribers because authorities suspect it of involvement in money laundering, according to the warrant.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Cash Transfers in the U.S. are Exploding: Here’s How to Make them Effective, During COVID-19 and Beyond
The U.S., like over 130 countries around the world, has deployed direct cash transfers to mitigate the hardships of COVID-19. But as Sheida Isabel Elmi and Rachel Black at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program point out, many U.S. households were financially insecure even before the pandemic began. They argue that cash transfers should be an ongoing response to these vulnerabilities, and share research on how to leverage these programs for the fullest benefit.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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Designing for Women: How COVID-19 Could Allow Government Payment Programs to Boost Women’s Economic Empowerment
Governments around the world are deploying government-to-person programs to address the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. But as Amanda Schwartz at IDEO.org points out, unless these programs are designed around women’s unique needs, they could exacerbate gender inequality and financial exclusion. She explores how a gender inclusive approach could "make the single biggest push for women’s economic empowerment that the world has ever seen."
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Finance
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