The term "Feminization of Poverty" refers to the disproportionate representation of women among the world's poor. It describes the phenomenon where women, as a group, experience higher rates of poverty compared to men.
This concept recognizes the intersectionality of gender and economic inequality, highlighting how social and economic structures can contribute to the vulnerability of women in terms of economic well-being.
Key aspects of the feminization of poverty include:
Income Disparities: Women often earn lower wages than men for similar work or face limited employment opportunities. This wage gap, combined with other factors such as part-time employment, informal labor, and occupational segregation, contributes to lower income levels for women.
Single-Parent Households: Female-headed households, particularly those led by single mothers, are more likely to experience poverty. This can be attributed to the challenges these households face, including lower income, fewer resources, and increased caregiving responsibilities.
Limited Access to Education: In many regions, women may have limited access to education, which can impact their ability to secure well-paying jobs. Lack of education can contribute to a cycle of poverty for women and their families.
Unequal Access to Resources: Women may face barriers to accessing resources such as credit, land, and other productive assets. This lack of access hinders their ability to engage in income-generating activities and exacerbates economic disparities.
Unpaid Care Work: Women often bear a significant burden of unpaid care work, including childcare, eldercare, and household responsibilities. The time spent on these activities limits their opportunities for formal employment and economic advancement.
Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence: Discrimination against women, as well as gender-based violence, can contribute to their economic vulnerability. These factors may limit women's ability to participate in the workforce, pursue education, or maintain financial independence.
Social Policies and Legal Frameworks: In some cases, social policies and legal frameworks may not adequately address gender-based economic disparities. The lack of policies promoting gender equality can perpetuate the feminization of poverty.
Feminization of Poverty in India: The feminization of poverty in India is a significant issue, with women facing a higher intensity of poverty than men. Some factors contributing to the feminization of poverty in India include:
Unemployment rates: Women have a higher unemployment rate than men, with a difference of 52% in the employment rates of males and females in India.
Limited job opportunities: Women are often restricted to certain jobs, such as teaching, medicine, beauty, and design, which can limit their earning potential.
Gender biases: Women are often deprived of opportunities to independently pursue education or careers due to gender biases and fixed gender roles in some societies.
Lone-mother households: The increasing share of poverty among women is related to the rising incidence of lone-mother households.
Lack of awareness and education: Women in India often face a lack of awareness and education, which can limit their opportunities for economic advancement.
Health and sanitation: Women in India often face issues related to inadequate food, housing, education, healthcare, sanitation, and poor living conditions, which can contribute to the feminization of poverty.
To address the feminization of poverty in India, it is essential to implement gender-sensitive policies and programs that empower women through access to education, employment, and economic opportunities. This can help reduce poverty and improve the living standards of women and their families.
In India, several schemes and initiatives have been implemented to address the feminization of poverty and empower women. Some of these schemes include:
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): This scheme aims to empower rural women through community participation and to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana (BBBP): This initiative focuses on the welfare of girl children and aims to address the declining child sex ratio. It also seeks to ensure their education and protection.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Formerly known as Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), this mission focuses on promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. It aims to improve their livelihoods through sustainable income-generating activities.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): This scheme aims to provide LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line households, thus protecting their health and environment and reducing the drudgery of cooking with polluting fuels.
National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education: This scheme provides incentives to girls, particularly from SC/ST communities, for secondary education, thereby encouraging them to continue their studies.
These schemes and initiatives are designed to address the various factors contributing to the feminization of poverty in India, such as limited job opportunities, gender biases, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
Comments
Write Comment