Q. What do you mean by feminization of poverty? What steps have been taken in recent times to address this issue?
16,Sep 2024
Posted By : SPM IAS Academy
0 Comments
APSC2023
GS1
The feminization of poverty is a significant global issue, with women constituting a disproportionate share of the world’s poor. In India, this trend is evident, as women make up around 70% of the population living below the poverty line. This phenomenon highlights the deep-rooted gender disparities in income, education, and access to resources, making women particularly vulnerable to poverty due to socio-economic and cultural factors. Addressing this issue is crucial for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Factors contributing to Feminization of Poverty
A. Economic Disparities:
Wage Gap: Women often earn less than men for the same work. In India, the gender pay gap stands at approximately 19% as of 2023, meaning women earn 81% of what men do for similar work .
Employment in Informal Sector: A large proportion of women in India are employed in the informal sector, which lacks job security, benefits, and fair wages. The National Sample Survey (NSS) 2017-18 indicates that 94% of women in India work in the informal sector, making them more vulnerable to poverty .
B. Social Factors
Limited Access to Education: Despite progress, girls in India still face barriers to education. According to the National Statistical Office (NSO) 2021 report, the female literacy rate in India is 70.3%, compared to 84.7% for males . This gap in education affects women’s employability and income potential.
Burden of Unpaid Care Work: Women disproportionately bear the burden of unpaid care work, including household chores and caregiving. This limits their ability to engage in paid employment or pursue higher education, exacerbating their economic vulnerability.
C. Cultural and Structural Barriers:
Patriarchal Norms: Societal norms often restrict women’s participation in the workforce and decision-making, contributing to their economic marginalization. This is particularly pronounced in rural areas where traditional gender roles are more rigid.
Asset Ownership: Women often have limited ownership of assets like land and property. Data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) shows that only 29% of women in India own land or a house, either individually or jointly .
Recent Steps to Address the Feminization of Poverty
A. Economic Empowerment Programs:
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): This scheme provides collateral-free loans to small and micro enterprises, with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs. As of 2023, 68% of the total beneficiaries of Mudra loans were women.
Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): This program promotes self-employment and entrepreneurship among rural women by organizing them into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). As of 2023, over 76 million women have been mobilized into SHGs under this scheme .
B. Education and Skill Development Initiatives:
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to improve the education and welfare of girls. It has contributed to an improvement in the girl child’s enrolment in schools, with the gross enrolment ratio for girls in secondary education rising to 80.97% in 2021-22 .
Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Yojana: This initiative focuses on empowering rural women through skill development and capacity-building programs. The scheme trains women in various trades, such as handloom, weaving, and handicrafts, enabling them to earn a sustainable livelihood.
C. Social Protection Measures:
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): This scheme provides financial incentives for institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor women. Since its inception, over 100 million women have benefited from the program.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): This program provides pensions to widows and elderly women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, helping them achieve a basic standard of living.
Orunodoi Scheme: Launched in 2020, this direct benefit transfer scheme provides financial assistance to economically vulnerable women. Under the scheme, eligible women receive a monthly transfer of Rs. 1250, which helps them meet basic needs and improve their quality of life.
D. Legislative and Policy Initiatives:
Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: This act increased the duration of paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, aiming to improve the work-life balance for women and support them in continuing employment post-childbirth .
Women’s Reservation in Panchayats: To enhance women’s participation in decision-making, the government mandates 33% reservation for women in Panchayats, with some states like Bihar and Rajasthan extending it to 50% .
While significant strides have been made in addressing the feminization of poverty in India, challenges remain. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that economic, educational, and social opportunities are equally accessible to women. By strengthening and expanding existing initiatives, India can work towards reducing gender disparities and ensuring that women are not disproportionately affected by poverty.
