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The Feminization of Poverty

  • Writer: heritagehsgirlup
    heritagehsgirlup
  • Nov 6, 2022
  • 4 min read

Updated: Dec 1, 2022

By Harshitha Mageshkumar


Introduction: Understanding the Feminization of Poverty


All around the world, there is a significantly larger percentage of impoverished women than impoverished men. This trend is referred to as the feminization of poverty.


The phenomenon affects millions of women globally, and is often caused by the effects of gender bias in society, including a lack of opportunities for women, lack of childcare, lack of women's education, etc. However, the feminization of poverty can be reversed with the support of people like you.


Types of Women in Poverty


In general, more women suffer from poverty than do men. However, even within that group, women in racial or sexual minorities, unmarried mothers, and disabled women are those that make up a larger percentage of the impoverished woman population.


Racial minorities are more susceptible to poverty. Studies show that, while White women do face more poverty than men do, a larger portion of the impoverished population is made up of Black, Hispanic, Asian, AIAN, and other races/mixed race women than is White women, as can be seen in the figure below.




Along with that, women in sexual minorities also show higher levels of poverty. A 2019 survey by UCLA Law School’s Williams institute found that around 17.9% of lesbian women, 29.4% of bisexual women, and 29.4% of transgender women live in poverty; in contrast, around 17.8% of straight cisgender women, and 13.4% of straight cisgender men are impoverished.


Single mothers are also more susceptible to poverty. Both due to the gender wage gap (the salary gap between men and women), and the lack of support for single mothers, many unmarried women with children live below the poverty line. It’s been shown that almost 1/4 of single mothers are impoverished, compared to around 5% of married women without children, as can be seen by the figure below. A large percentage of this disparity can be attributed to a lack of maternity leeway in the workplace— women with children are often penalized for having to take maternity leave or having to spend time to take care of their children rather than working, which makes them less likely to get and/or hold a job, and also reduces their chances for promotions within their job.



Income Inequality and the Gender Wage Gap


The feminization of poverty is greatly impacted by the gender wage gap. Because women are paid less than men, they are often unable to afford basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing— especially if they have children. Factors related to maternity and childcare also reduce women’s opportunities to get, keep, and advance in jobs. In addition, due to affordability concerns, more women are deprived of quality healthcare. All of these factors lead to numerous women having to live below the poverty line.


Single-mother households have been shown to be the most impacted by the wage gap, and thus more susceptible to poverty. Not only do these households struggle due to having fewer income earners to support them, but they also face an additional level of hardship, because a single woman wouldn’t earn as much as a single man would due to the gender wage gap.


Due to the disparity in income between men and women, women find it significantly more difficult than men to support themselves and their families financially, thus making them more susceptible to poverty.


Gender, Education, and How it Contributes to Poverty


Gender inequality and the feminization of poverty is a global issue; in many countries, especially in the world’s poorest places, women are often denied an education. Families living in poverty often send their sons to school, but because they cannot afford it, they refuse to let their daughters earn the same education as their sons.


In addition, menstruation also hinders girls’ abilities to go to school; if girls and women lack education about their periods and/or lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities, they may have to miss school for long periods at a time.


Less education leads to less employment; due to a lack of education, many women are unable to work in upper-level— and higher-paying— jobs, increasing the likelihood of these women having to live under the poverty line.


How can we bring about change?


We can provide support in order to lift women out of poverty. We can support women’s education, especially in poorer countries, in order to give them more and better career opportunities. We can also help to decrease the gender wage gap by advocating for a raise in the minimum wage, providing thousands of women working for minimum wage a higher income; calling for less discrimination in the workplace based on maternity and childcare needs; and promoting less racial discrimination in the workplace to give more women an opportunity to earn more and lift themselves out of poverty.


While change is always slow and difficult, with our continued support, we can help to lift millions of women above the poverty line, and eventually, reverse the feminization of poverty.


Citations



Beijing +5—Women 2000: Gender equality, development and peace for the 21st century twenty-third special session of the general assembly, 5-9 june 2000. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/followup/session/presskit/fs1.htm


Bloxham, L. (2021, October 19). The feminisation of poverty: Why gender matters. Concern Worldwide. https://www.concern.org.uk/news/feminisation-poverty-why-gender-matters


The basic facts about women in poverty. (n.d.). Center for American Progress. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/basic-facts-women-poverty/


Women, poverty, and the gender wage gap. (n.d.). Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.povertylaw.org/article/women-poverty-and-the-gender-wage-gap/


 
 
 

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