Women progression in careers in MFIs in Haiti.

Trial Information

General Information

Title

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0016105

Initial registration date

May 28, 2025

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

May 30, 2025, 9:50 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country

Haiti

Region

Primary Investigator

Name

Luciano Barin Cruz

Affiliation

Pôle Ideos - HEC Montréal

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2025-06-02

End date

2025-07-31

Keywords

Finance & Microfinance

Additional Keywords

JEL code(s)

Secondary IDs

Prior work

This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.

Abstract

This study aims to test how different forms of training can support women working in MFIs in Haiti to progress in their careers. After a qualitative diagnosis on the ground, three main challenges emerged: 1) the lack of relational and political skills (which we call soft skills); 2) the lack of technical skills in microfinance (which we call hard skills); 3) the lack of support from men working in the same MFIs. In partnership with Desjardins International Development, we put together an intervention composed of a training program. All invited participants received baseline training on women's leadership (barriers and opportunities). We invited women and men from different MFIs in Haiti. After the baseline training, women participants were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) one received additional training on 'soft skills'; 2) one received additional training on 'hard skills'; 3) one was allocated as a control group. We expect to test whether interventions on soft and/or hard skills have better results for women's progression in their careers in MFIs compared to no training. We also expect to test whether the participation of men in women's leadership training has an influence on women's progression in their careers in MFIs.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Barin Cruz, Luciano. 2025. "Women progression in careers in MFIs in Haiti.." AEA RCT Registry. May 30. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16105-1.0

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

This study aims to test how different forms of training can support women working in MFIs in Haiti to progress in their careers. After a qualitative diagnosis on the ground, three main challenges emerged: 1) the lack of relational and political skills (which we call soft skills); 2) the lack of technical skills in microfinance (which we call hard skills); 3) the lack of support from men working in the same MFIs. In partnership with Desjardins International Development, we put together an intervention composed of a training program. All invited participants received baseline training on women's leadership (barriers and opportunities). We invited women and men from different MFIs in Haiti. After the baseline training, women participants were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) one received additional training on 'soft skills'; 2) one received additional training on 'hard skills'; 3) one was allocated as a control group. We expect to test whether interventions on soft and/or hard skills have better results for women's progression in their careers in MFIs compared to no training. We also expect to test whether the participation of men in women's leadership training has an influence on women's progression in their careers in MFIs.

Intervention (Hidden)

Intervention Start Date

2025-06-02

Intervention End Date

2025-06-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

Women professional aspiration
Women improvement in communication at work
Women capacity to communicate with conviction with supervisor
Women capacity to communicate her needs with colleagues
Women capacity to communicate with subordinates
Women capacity to talk during meetings at work
Women participation in conferences for professional improvement
Women capacity to interact with superiors at work

Women improvement in time management at work
Women improvement in decision making at work

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Systemic barriers against women

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

In partnership with Desjardins International Development, we put together an intervention composed of a training program. All invited participants received baseline training on women's leadership (barriers and opportunities). We invited women and men from different MFIs in Haiti. After the baseline training, women participants were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) one received additional training on 'soft skills'; 2) one received additional training on 'hard skills'; 3) one was allocated as a control group. We expect to test whether interventions on soft and/or hard skills have better results for women's progression in their careers in MFIs compared to no training. We also expect to test whether the participation of men in women's leadership training has an influence on women's progression in their careers in MFIs. We will measure the effect of the intervention on the primary outcome variables described ealier.

Experimental Design Details

Randomization Method

Randomization done in office by a computer.

Randomization Unit

Point of service in the MFI in which women participants work.

Was the treatment clustered?

No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

33

Sample size: planned number of observations

around 200 individuals

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

16 Soft Skills; 10 hard skills, 6 Control

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Supporting Documents and Materials

IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name

HEC Montreal IRB

IRB Approval Date

2025-05-26

IRB Approval Number

2015-1367, 1361

Analysis Plan

Women progression in careers in MFIs in Haiti.

Pre-Trial

General Information

Locations

Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Registration Citation

Interventions

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Experimental Design

Experiment Characteristics

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

Post-Trial

Study Withdrawal

Intervention

Data Publication

Program Files

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials