Is woman synonym of poverty?

Did you know that 70% of the 1.300 millions of people, who live in a poor situation, are women?... that women are two thirds of the world’s illiterate population (600 millions)? That they only occupy the 10% of the world’s parliaments’ posts and the 6% of the national cabinets’ posts? … Have you ever thought that women bear a harder working burden than men and only a third part of their activities are paid?… that they earn a little bit more than 50% of the money earned by men?

According to the United Nations Developing Program (UNDP), Human Development is in danger when women condition is not included in it. Then, why along the History, can we observe that while in some countries women are acquiring a bigger –although slow- participation in politic, social, economic life; in other countries they are becoming objects of violence, discrimination, lack of opportunities and synonym of poverty?

It’s difficult to find a unique cause of this situation, because many aspects such as financial, cultural, psychological, etc, take part in it. However, according to the experts, one of the main causes of this serious problem, in which women face poverty, is the dependence. Currently, many women live in a vicious circle, because when they depend on somebody else, her self-esteem goes down, and this causes lack of optimism and enthusiasm in the activities they do, low productivity and participation and as a resulta poor precarious economy. There are some others in the extreme side, due to the fact they want to be totally independent, assuming male roles to become “superwomen”… reaching high stress and anxiety levels.

The authentically human is the mutual and healthy interdependence, in which men and women share tasks, rights and obligations… to reach this point, there is a long way to walk. Our Association VMY is composed by lay young people and maybe a 70% are women who fight for the Most Needy, therefore, it is important you to stop and think:

• How is this situation where I live?
• What could I do to avoid that women face poverty?
• What kind of activities could we, as VMY, organize to foster women’s well-being?
• If you know any kind of project related to this topic, carried out by any VMY group of your region, could you send us a brief article describing it or a testimony?

Ah! Remember next March 8 is the International Women’s day. Congratulations to all our reader women, especially those who are VMY members!!

E-mail us:secinterjmv@telefonica.net / english_jmv@telefonica.net

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