European Anti-Poverty Network: Gender and poverty in Europe
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) presented the new report: Gender and Poverty in Europe.
Poverty and gender inequality are two forms of social injustice, which undermine human rights, the wellbeing of individuals, as well as their capacity to develop their full potential in life. Women experiencing poverty are exposed to twofold risk and injustice – based on gender and based on their poverty status, was said at the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) media conference, a part of the regular EAPN meeting which is taking place in Belgrade (Serbia) from March 8 to 11.
“The feminization of poverty is the consequence of various structural factors including stereotypes, existing pay gaps, barriers caused by the lack of reconciliation between family life and work and various types of gender discrimination”, said Letizia Cesarini Sforza EAPN’s representative. She explained that although Europe is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to women’s rights, progress towards achieving full gender equality has been very slow. “We are only half way towards achieving full equality between men and women.”
When it comes to the risk of poverty for women in Serbia, the rate is almost equal to the rate for men up to age of 65. However, the gap between women and men widens greatly among people over 65 and the risk of poverty is 50% higher for women than men.
Prof. Slobodan Cvejić, SeConS director of research: “This the result of the large number of women who are financially dependent, as well as economic inequality within families, which poverty monitoring conceals – when women leave the family, their situation often drastically worsens. Data show that the most vulnerable are single mothers, retired women, inactive women, rural women, Roma women and women with disabilities. Measured at the individual level, women are more deprived than men on each indicator, from clothing and footwear to having personal money at their disposal.”
“Experiencing poverty as a woman for me means above all experiencing poverty as a mother. If you have more financial means, you also have a stronger social network that can help you to take care of the children. You need a social network to be able to breathe, but also to give your children opportunities to play and share quality time with other children. If you don’t have enough money, your children are condemned to miss out on experiences other children have.” explained Geneviève Baert, a Belgian woman with direct experience of poverty.
“Poverty means many things. Women have to deal with things on their own, especially if they are Roma like me. To people experiencing poverty and discrimination: follow yourself; make your own path. Education is the most important thing, even if poverty sometimes prevents children and girls from having a good quality education.” according to Milica Petrovic, a woman with direct experience of poverty from Serbia.
“Gender equality is a fundamental value and right in the European Union. The fight against poverty and social exclusion is the responsibility of Member States, while the role of the EU is limited to cooperation in the areas of social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care, pensions, and to providing certain fundings”, said Graciela Malgesini, EAPN’s representative. She added that the European Commission, due to the slow progress in the field of social and gender policies, launched the European Pillar on Social Rights in 2016, while the European Parliament adopted several resolutions aimed at strengthening the fight against poverty. Malgesini emphasized that EAPN will continue to point out the gender perspective of poverty in its policy analysis and its advocacy activities.
Read the report here.
