100WEEKS, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Toronto, the University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University, studied the effects of cash transfer programmes on mothers and children in rural cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire.
The study found that cash transfers significantly improved mothers’ wellbeing, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, with positive ripple effects across households. Brain scans also revealed remarkable benefits for children, showing improved brain network functioning and increased activity in areas linked to learning, emotional control, and concentration.
