Results of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Network’s survey initiative on the “Missing Dimensions of Poverty” suggest that there may be significant differences in the quality of work, empowerment, ability to go about life without shame, and psychological well-being among individuals with different educational attainments.

The survey is part of the network’s ongoing collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) titled “Testing the Missing Dimensions of Poverty.” The project aims to pilot test survey modules for the following themes: (1) safety from violence, (2) empowerment, (3) employment quality, (4) dignity and self-respect, and (5) meaning and value. Data collection started at the two sites—Pasay City and Batangas—last October 2009.

Among the most notable results from Barangay 80 in Pasay City and Barangay Lumbangan in Rosario, Batangas are as follows:

• Workers who are better educated are less likely to be employed in jobs that do not have employment benefits;
• Higher income is associated with having more employment benefits;
• Results suggest that individuals with higher educational attainment are more likely to be in a better state of psychological well-being;
• Better-educated respondents are more likely to have higher levels of autonomy, further suggesting a link between education and empowerment in general;
• Respondents with lower levels of education are more prone to feelings of shame; and
• The group with the lowest educational attainment experienced more disrespect and prejudiced and unfair treatment.

Other key findings are as follows:

• More young respondents reported that they can change things in their community;
• Urban respondents are more likely to see themselves as agents of change in their community or neighborhood compared to rural respondents;
• Autonomy is found to be highest with respect to religious practice;
• Respondents who are poor are more likely to report that they are not happy and satisfied with life overall;
• Poor individuals tend to be more prone to feelings of shame;
• A large proportion of employed individuals do not receive any kind of protection in terms of employment benefits;
• There were more victims of crime against property in the urban area than in the rural area; and
• More non-poor respondents experienced crimes against property while more poor respondents were victims of crimes against person.

The results were presented to local officials and members of the community of the two project sites as part of the validation activity. Based on the results of the validation activity, greater involvement from the sites’ local governments on livelihood promotion and education-related initiatives were suggested to broaden the residents’ opportunities in getting jobs and improving their living conditions.