“Creating economic opportunities for poor women is one of the best ways to reduce their poverty and improve their status”
Discuss this statement with reference to relevant examples and literature.
Creating economic opportunities for poor women is seen as one of the best ways to improve their status within society. By liberating women from dependence on their husbands and other male family members, women’s status can be improved. This improvement in status is, however restricted to societies where low status is the result of poverty. In many patriarchal societies the status of women is low because of religious practices, local culture and a lack of legislation. The case studies in this essay demonstrate the many reasons for women’s low status, as well as development projects that have been successful in their holistic approach to changing the status of poor women.
By providing training, skills and micro financing schemes, women are able to start businesses which give them new opportunities and the independence to contribute to their family. “Women tend to reinvest their income in improved nutrition, health and education for household members, thus increasing living standards… in the long term” (Krogh et al 2009). Children of mothers with profitable businesses are more likely to attend school, which helps to break down the poverty cycle that affects many communities. By gaining help to begin a business, women are less likely to work in low paid fields of employment such as agriculture. This form of work demands long working hours, especially in peak season. Low wages result in children not attending school, often fewer girls are enrolled in school as their help is needed to complete the work that is necessary to maintain the family home.
People living in rural communities around the world are often the most economically disadvantaged of groups. Of these people, it is women and children who suffer the most because of the cycle of poverty. A lack of... [continues]
Discuss this statement with reference to relevant examples and literature.
Creating economic opportunities for poor women is seen as one of the best ways to improve their status within society. By liberating women from dependence on their husbands and other male family members, women’s status can be improved. This improvement in status is, however restricted to societies where low status is the result of poverty. In many patriarchal societies the status of women is low because of religious practices, local culture and a lack of legislation. The case studies in this essay demonstrate the many reasons for women’s low status, as well as development projects that have been successful in their holistic approach to changing the status of poor women.
By providing training, skills and micro financing schemes, women are able to start businesses which give them new opportunities and the independence to contribute to their family. “Women tend to reinvest their income in improved nutrition, health and education for household members, thus increasing living standards… in the long term” (Krogh et al 2009). Children of mothers with profitable businesses are more likely to attend school, which helps to break down the poverty cycle that affects many communities. By gaining help to begin a business, women are less likely to work in low paid fields of employment such as agriculture. This form of work demands long working hours, especially in peak season. Low wages result in children not attending school, often fewer girls are enrolled in school as their help is needed to complete the work that is necessary to maintain the family home.
People living in rural communities around the world are often the most economically disadvantaged of groups. Of these people, it is women and children who suffer the most because of the cycle of poverty. A lack of... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2010, 11). Female Poverty Reduction Through Creating Economic Opportunities.. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 11, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Female-Poverty-Reduction-Through-Creating-Economic-491162.html
- MLA
-
"Female Poverty Reduction Through Creating Economic Opportunities." StudyMode.com. 11 2010. 11 2010 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Female-Poverty-Reduction-Through-Creating-Economic-491162.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"Female Poverty Reduction Through Creating Economic Opportunities.." StudyMode.com. 11, 2010. Accessed 11, 2010. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Female-Poverty-Reduction-Through-Creating-Economic-491162.html.
