COVOID is implementing the Digital Sub‐Wallets for Increased Financial Empowerment of Women.  The 3 years Research project targets marginalized women in mature VSLA groups. The project is very unique and it will test an innovative approach to improving women’s equitable influence over household financial decisions and utilizing mobile financial technology. The project is funded by BILL & MELINDA GATEs implemented in partnership by CARE, Oxford University, Post Bank Uganda and COVOID.

The research focus of the project aims to generate high-quality evidence about the marginal impact of each of the innovative interventions both on women’s empowerment and other key development outcomes, which may include access to education, food security, and health indicators. The two innovations being tested through the study are: (1) Making mobile money products more relevant to the way that women think about and use money and. (2) Improving equitable household decision making. The project aims to address SDG 5, 1, and also incorporates partly SDG 3, all for financial inclusion and social economic transformation.

The project overall Objective :  By  2019, 800  women  in  Rubirizi  are empowered to have equitable  influence over household financial decisions  and  are using mobile financial technology  to improve their lives and those of their immediate household members.

The project intervention is both at Household and VSLA group level as our entry points. COVOID conducts Household Dialogues at household level to empower women through participation in household decision making, and Financial Literacy and sub wallet training at VSLA level to empower women through participation in financial planning and use of mobile financial technology.