Multidimensional Impact Evaluation: A Randomized Control Trial on Conflict-affected Women in Northern Uganda

This paper applies the Alkire-Foster measurement approach to evaluate a randomized control trial
that aimed to empower ultra-poor and conflict-affected women in two of the most war-affected districts in Northern Uganda through the Women‘s Income Generating Support Program (WINGS). Using a multidimensional measure of ten indicators, we find that the intervention is successful in reducing the average number of deprivations by the equivalent of half a binary deprivation. Analysis of the adjusted headcount ratio shows that the intervention was successful in reducing multidimensional
poverty and disempowerment among those who experience it more severely. However, we find that,
even at endline, most of the women in the sample experience at least three of the ten deprivations
simultaneously. The multidimensional approach to impact evaluation is a demanding requirement on
any intervention that aims to reduce poverty as it requires the intervention to simultaneously
enhance intended outcomes for every beneficiary. Nevertheless, it can be claimed that these conflict- affected women should not experience any of these deprivations at once.