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Editorial
This newsletter tells of “the feminine face of poverty.” It is argued that women are often the most afflicted by poverty because of factors such as their lack of economic power, skills and status and the need to care for their families. Yet, as a recent report has made clear, World Bank strategies to combat poverty often fail to incorporate the views of women or target policies that will help them. Poverty statistics are not differentiated by gender and “women’s voices have hardly been sought and have definitely not been heard.” *
Women’s voices are heard in this newsletter. In Zambia, the struggle against poverty is likened to a war; in Bangladesh and other countries, including some in the developed world, articles tell how poverty traps some women into prostitution. In USA and Canada, the poverty of women and children seems to be on the increase, despite their societies’ general affluence. Poverty does not just affect the women. Malnourished women are more likely to have babies who are at risk. In Africa, more than 10 million babies die every year.
*Failing women, sustaining poverty: Gender in Poverty Joint Report by Christian Aid and the UK’s Gender and Development Network.
In the UK, a Non-Governmental Organisation – the Zacchaeus Trust 2000 – and the Institute for Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition have highlighted concern at the clear relationship between poor maternal nutrition, inadequate incomes and low birth weight. The incidence of low birth weight is rising in the UK and in some inner-city regions is similar to that of developing nations. The consequences of poor maternal nutrition, before and during pregnancy, are becoming clearer: low birth weights result in associated physical and mental ill health, and an expert at the National Institute of Health in USA now considers that improper maternal nutrition is a key factor in the sharp rise in mental ill health among young people.
Some of the articles point out the political dimension to poverty. The Global Call for Action Against Poverty, launched by several women's organisations and development agencies, is a worldwide alliance committed to pressuring world leaders to fulfil their promises to implement the Beijing Platform for Action, the landmark document which promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women. Hundreds of civil society organisations from all over the world – including women's groups, trade unions, faith groups and human rights organisations – are joining together to work toward shifts in national and international policies to end poverty. At the recent meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Observer for the Anglican Consultative Council, whose delegation comprised 41 Anglican women from 27 Provinces, identified poverty of women as one the four most urgent issues that should be addressed by the governments of the world. Basic to the elimination of women and children living in poverty is the economic empowerment of women. This was pointed out by the Secretary General Kofi Annan, in his opening address. The delegate from Ireland (a man) stated that the economic health of his country could be directly tied to an increase of women entering the workforce over the past five years; “Gender equality equals economic wellbeing.” Awareness of the extent and repercussions of the poverty of women is crucial for the whole of the Anglican Communion. Churches are urged to do their part to understand and work to combat “the feminine face of poverty.”
Editorial note
This editorial has been jointly written by Canon Alice Medcof, Co-ordinator of the International Anglican Women’s Network and Dr Sally Thompson, Co-ordinator of IAFN.
More information on the Global Action against Poverty initiative can be found at:
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