ECONOMY | ADVOCACY & POLICY
Understanding Women's Poverty: Deprivation and Depletion
WORDS BY AISHWARYA SHASTRI | SHASTRI@PROXYBYIWI.COM | 4 APRIL 2024
Every year The UNW Commission of Status of Women gathers in New York to Review previous themes working on the empowerment and uplifting of women. This year’s agenda is reviewing the 63rd sessions` resolution, ‘accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.’
Women's poverty is a multifaceted issue that goes beyond mere lack of financial resources. It can be understood as a process of deprivation and depletion, where women are systematically denied access to essential resources and opportunities, thus preventing them from achieving a decent standard of living. This deprivation extends to various aspects of life, including food security and nutrition, housing, quality healthcare, and education. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) highlights the significance of addressing women's poverty as a fundamental concern for achieving gender equality and sustainable development (UN Women, 2023).
The deprivation experienced by women in poverty encompasses several dimensions. Firstly, many women lack access to adequate and nutritious food, which has severe consequences for their health and well-being. Malnutrition and food insecurity are prevalent among women living in poverty, particularly in developing countries where access to food is limited (FAO, 2021). Additionally, inadequate housing is a common issue faced by impoverished women, with many living in substandard or overcrowded conditions that pose risks to their safety and health (UN Habitat, 2016).
Moreover, women in poverty often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare services, including reproductive health services and maternal care. Limited access to healthcare exacerbates existing health disparities, resulting in higher rates of maternal mortality, reproductive health issues, and chronic illnesses among impoverished women (World Health Organization, 2020). Furthermore, lack of access to education perpetuates the cycle of poverty for women, as education is crucial for empowering women economically and socially. Many impoverished women are unable to access or complete their education due to various factors, including financial constraints, societal norms, and gender-based discrimination (UNESCO, 2018).
Promoting Ethiopian Women's Economic Rights: In her book chapter, Nicola Jones focuses on promoting Ethiopian women's economic rights by addressing the antecedents of gender inequality in adolescence. Adolescence is a critical period in shaping gender norms and expectations, and addressing gender disparities during this stage can have a significant impact on women's economic empowerment later in life. Jones emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of gender inequality in adolescence, including social norms, cultural practices, and structural barriers.
Jones highlights the need for targeted interventions that address the specific needs and challenges faced by adolescent girls in Ethiopia. This includes providing access to education, skills training, and economic opportunities that empower girls and enable them to overcome gender-based barriers. Additionally, Jones emphasises the importance of engaging with communities, families, and institutions to challenge harmful gender norms and promote gender equality from a young age.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN Women recognise the importance of addressing women's poverty as a central component of their agenda for gender equality, poverty eradication, and institutional strengthening. Both entities advocate for comprehensive strategies and policies aimed at addressing the root causes of women's poverty and promoting women's empowerment and economic independence. This includes initiatives to improve access to education and healthcare, enhance economic opportunities for women, and eliminate discriminatory laws and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities (UN Women, 2023).
Women's poverty is a complex phenomenon characterised by deprivation and depletion across multiple dimensions of life. It deprives women of their fundamental rights to a decent standard of living, food security and nutrition, housing, quality healthcare, and education. Addressing women's poverty is crucial for achieving gender equality and sustainable development, as recognized by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN Women. Efforts to combat women's poverty must involve comprehensive strategies that address the underlying systemic factors contributing to women's deprivation and promote women's empowerment and economic independence.
o FAO. (2021). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
o UNESCO. (2018). Gender Equality in Education: Looking Beyond Parity. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
o UN Habitat. (2016). Housing and Urban Development in the Sustainable Development Goals: How to Make Housing Count. United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
o UN Women. (2023). Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Key Issues for the CSW. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
o World Health Organization. (2020). Health Systems Strengthening Glossary. World Health Organization.