Conditional cash transfer programmes, which make income support dependent on school attendance, have proved to be especially effective in a number of countries. Gender segregation by field of study and the resulting knowledge gaps in scientific subjects should be addressed by removing gender bias in curricula, raising awareness on the likely consequences of choosing different fields of study and by facilitating women’s access to STEM-related jobs through apprenticeships and counselling. Introducing policies to facilitate the establishment of credit records would help relax credit-constraints on women.