There is increasing interest from social protection actors and violenceagainst-women stakeholders in the potential of cash transfers to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). Although evidence suggests cash transfers reduce IPV across a wide range of programs and contexts, there is less clear guidance on specific design and implementation components that may facilitate these decreases — particularly for programming without explicit violence prevention objectives. This brief summarizes evidence from rigorous studies and existing operational guidance around common decisions made in cash transfer programs, including (1) targeting; (2) amount, frequency, duration, and predictability of transfers; (3) delivery of transfers and operational considerations at pay points; and (4) system linkages and complementary programming. To guide recommendations, we use research on pathways of impact between cash transfers and IPV, and provide examples of supporting evidence. The audience for this brief includes program implementers, policymakers, and funders, with the objective of increasing gender-sensitivity and responsiveness to IPV prevention in cash transfer programming.

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