Physics

Sociology

Poverty

Governmentality

Population

Economic growth

Politics

Demography

Development studies

Philosophy

Political science

Economics

Power (physics)

Ethnology

Narrative

Conditional cash transfer

Cash transfers

Linguistics

Normative

Development economics

Quantum mechanics

South asia

Development in Practice

Social policies such as conditional cash transfer programmes (CCTs) have technical and measurable outcomes which are favourable for countries in the Global South, where development impact on health and education matters. This paper presents grounded narratives of women beneficiaries of the Philippines' Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and outlines how conditionalities have reconfigured beliefs and conduct among these women. Using the concept of governmentality, the process of meeting programme conditions presents itself as a form of exercising power to configure the habits and beliefs of the population. The paper contributes to the critical discourses, challenges and normative views on the impact of CCTs.

Governmentality and gendered realities: experiences from the Philippines’ cash transfer programme