Reducing inequalities and breaking the poverty trap in Peruvian indigenous groups: A case study of Conditional Cash Transfer Programme Juntos

Abstract

El programa social de transferencias condicionadas de efectivo, programa Juntos, se implementó en el 2005 con el objetivo de reducir la pobreza extrema en las comunidades rurales más vulnerables. En el Perú, el rostro de la pobreza es indígena de acuerdo con el último censo del 2017. Después de 17 años, solo una minoría de grupos indígenas que viven en comunidades indígenas, 6.65%, acceden al programa. Se revisó literatura relacionada a programas de transferencias condicionadas de efectivo en la región y el Perú, además se obtuvo información de cinco organizaciones que trabajan con grupos indígenas en los departamentos de San Martín, Ayacucho y Cusco. Esta información ha sido examinada usando el enfoque de Análisis Político Económico (Political Economy Analysis - PEA). Este estudio buscó identificar las barreras que enfrentan los grupos indígenas que viven en comunidades indígenas, con respecto al acceso al programa Juntos. El estudio encontró barreras estructurales e institucionales que mantienen a los grupos indígenas en la pobreza y alejados de los programas sociales. El descubrimiento más importante fue que la carencia de servicios básicos y acceso mínimo a programas sociales para los grupos indígenas en el Perú es un problema endémico que tiene sus raíces en la falta de voluntad política.

This dissertation studies the barriers around access to large-scale Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme Juntos by indigenous groups living in indigenous communities in Peru. Juntos was launched in 2005, over 15 years have passed and only a portion of targeted beneficiaries, 6.65 percent, are indigenous peoples living in indigenous communities. Juntos has been demonstrated to have a positive impact throughout a range of indicators including increased school enrolment, improved attendance rates at educational institutions, improved health outcomes, and decreased child labour. This study has used literature related to conditional cash transfer programmes in the region and in Peru, as well as first-hand information collected through interviews with five key informant organisations that work with indigenous groups in the departments of San Martín, Ayacucho, and Cusco. The information has been examined from a Political Economy Analysis perspective, emphasizing how political powers play an important role in the distribution of resources. This study found that there are structural and institutional barriers that preserve indigenous groups in poverty and, leave them behind in the social programmes intended for the poorest. Among the structural barriers we found geographical, political, stakeholder and social barriers. In the institutional barriers were found barriers related to data, policy implementation, outcomes, and communication. The most significant finding of this dissertation is that the scarce basic services and minimum access to social programmes for indigenous groups living in indigenous communities, is an endemic issue that has its root in a lack of political will.