The Additional Challenges of Poverty that Come With Being a Woman
By Joanna Gentle, staff writer
During the month of January, many people celebrate the beginning of a new year. However, what many people do not know is that January is also Poverty Awareness month. During January, we are reminded that not everyone can celebrate the holidays in comfort. People living in poverty are too preoccupied to participate in these celebrations due to their constant struggle to survive and live another day. I believe that we should also bring awareness to a different perspective of poverty that not many people can imagine. When asked about the reality of poverty, many people imagine a homeless man sleeping on a park bench. This is far from the true reality of poverty, and poverty can look vastly different for every person. Women living in poverty have similar struggles as men when it comes to finances, however women in poverty have added struggles when it comes to safety, hygiene, and escaping poverty.
Poverty comes in all different shapes and forms. Poverty can strike at any time through job losses, medical issues, mental health, or any other major changes. Not everyone who is living in poverty is homeless and sometimes it can be hard to imagine that there are people we may know who are silently living in poverty. So, what is poverty? Poverty is defined by the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation as not having enough money to meet basic needs which includes food, clothing, and shelter. Poverty is a struggle for survival however it is different for women. Men in poverty have many of the same concerns as women which are food, shelter, and clothing. However when it comes to safety, women and men have extremely different concerns about safety if they are living in extreme poverty. This is not to diminish the struggles of men in poverty, but women have completely different safety concerns when it comes to living out on the streets.
When discussing the struggles faced by women in poverty, it is essential to understand that women of color are far more likely to live in poverty than men. This fact is taken from the Center for American Progress and is extremely troubling, as women of color are more likely to face violence in these situations. Living in poverty, especially on the street, is a struggle for survival for everyone, but for women there are often extra complications. Women, especially women of color, must deal with the many safety concerns of living out on the streets or living in unsafe neighborhoods. They may be followed, harassed, assaulted, or worse. These women are often seen as expendable and when they go missing, they are often not even searched for. These circumstances are extremely difficult to escape, and these women often turn to prostitution, drugs, or other unsafe practices to cope with the harsh reality of their life. Menstruation products are not cheap, and could be the price of a meal or a bus ticket, which leads to additional sanitary struggles for women in poverty. Resources exist within communities, but many of these resources are stretched thin and shelters are often seen as unsafe as the streets for women. These problems create generations of poverty and perpetuate the cycle.
Bringing awareness to these issues is a major way to help these women in poverty. Many people what is going on and how women in poverty are treated, but are unsure of how to help. One organization called Bright Hope is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty and works directly with churches around the world to give hope to families through small acts that can change someone's life. Local women's shelters are also an essential safe space for women in poverty, and donations of old clothes or hygiene products can help them take the first steps out of poverty. Additionally, the Onura Beekeeping Project helps women in South Sudan fight malnutrition by helping single mothers start and run a beekeeping business to sell honey and beeswax to support their families. All of these organizations, local and global, are all actively changing lives.
Poverty is a vicious cycle, but all it takes is one person to help another out of poverty. As we go into this New Year, make sure to consider the lives of people living in poverty, think about their stories, consider their struggles, and consider taking a small action to change the trajectory of someone's life. It does not need to be expensive or intricate, a small act of kindness goes a long way and can truly help someone get back on their feet.
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