Evaluating a Microfinance Intervention for Vulnerable Women in Kazakhstan

Six sessions provided three times per week over two weeks by a study team facilitator. The sessions focus on banking services, savings (including how to open an account), budgeting (including development of a household budget), debt management, and financial negotiations, 1:1 matched savings account for women, followed by vocational training: Women assigned to the HIVRR+MF arm decide during their financial literacy sessions which vocational training program in which they would like to be enrolled (24 sessions).

Four sessions delivered twice a week for the first two weeks. Sessions derive from three evidence-based interventions with demonstrated efficacy to reduce drug and sexual HIV-risk behaviors in vulnerable women. Content focuses on basic transmission risk; educating about the risks of alcohol and drug use and how sexual behavior increases HIV risk; male and female condom use; examining the context for sexual risk including male partner sexual risk behavior (e.g. multiple partners) and violence against women; reducing other sexual risks (e.g., mutual masturbation, correct use of lubricants).