Do Conditional Cash Transfers Change the Social Status of Women?

This article is aimed to discuss whether the implication of conditional cash transfers (CCT) in Turkey have a transforming influence on social status of women. Data of a research which was conducted in Edremit, Van was re-analysed and the results were evaluated through review of the existing literature. Data of the Edremit research analysed by comparing the women who received CCT (n=74) with those who did not (n=74); the groups were matched for the marriage and occupational status. It was seen that the women who received CCT were not in a better condition than those who did not. In the literature, we found varying views and statements about the influence of CCT on womens social status. By re-interpretting these literature together with our data analysis results, we concluded that there might be some positive influences of CCT considering the practical needs of women, but CCT alone do not target the strategic needs of women and there is no evidence for an empowering or transforming influence of CCT on the social status of women.