How a UBIG can advance gender justice and social cohesion

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues that a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG)—defined as a regular government cash transfer provided as a right to all adult citizens or residents—can advance gender justice and social cohesion by decoupling income from waged labour and reducing poverty-driven instability.

• Women in South Africa face systemic economic disadvantages, including higher unemployment rates and lower pay. In 2020, 40.6% of women-headed households lacked an employed member, compared to 22% of men-headed households. On average, women earn 76% of what men earn, and they were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, accounting for two thirds of job losses.
• A UBIG can empower women by providing financial independence and reducing vulnerability to intimate partner violence (IPV). Evidence from India shows cash transfers helped women open bank accounts and gain power over spending. In 16 out of 22 cases in low and middle income countries, research indicated a UBIG can decrease IPV, and a specific study in Kenya found that cash transfers significantly reduced IPV.
• Basic income support can enhance social cohesion by increasing trust, civic engagement, and safety. In Tanzania, cash transfers increased trust in leaders and community participation. In Namibia, a basic income pilot resulted in a 42% reduction in overall crime rates, particularly theft linked to economic conditions.
• The benefits of gender justice and social cohesion depend on the universality of the grant. Providing the grant to all adults without strings attached prevents the social stigma and undermined cohesion associated with eligibility criteria. For gender equality, it is essential that support is directed to all adults rather than just male heads of households or being conditioned on caregiving.

APA

Institute for Economic Justice (2022). How a UBIG can advance gender justice and social cohesion. https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IEJ-UBIG-5-fact-sheet-web.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Economic Justice. How a UBIG can advance gender justice and social cohesion. 2022. https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IEJ-UBIG-5-fact-sheet-web.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Economic Justice |title=How a UBIG can advance gender justice and social cohesion |date=November 2022 |url=https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IEJ-UBIG-5-fact-sheet-web.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforeconomicjustice2022how, author = {{Institute for Economic Justice}}, title = {{How a UBIG can advance gender justice and social cohesion}}, institution = {Institute for Economic Justice}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IEJ-UBIG-5-fact-sheet-web.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }