Feminization of poverty and labor discrimination Cover Image

Феминизация на бедността и трудова дискриминация
Feminization of poverty and labor discrimination

Author(s): Deniza Georgieva
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Psychology, Social psychology and group interaction, Organizational Psychology
Published by: Софийски университет »Св. Климент Охридски«
Keywords: feminization; poverty; discrimination; labor

Summary/Abstract: The concept of feminization of poverty focuses on the relationship between gender inequality and poverty and postulates that women are more vulnerable to poverty because of the existing gender inequalities in terms of access to the labor market, the division of paid and domestic work, the allocation of resources, the economic participation and opportunities and the government representation and their political rights and freedoms. The aim of this paper is to offer an overview of the process of feminization of poverty and to explore the factors and reasons which contribute to that phenomenon and result in policymaking action on gender equality. The analysis includes the historical evolution and use of the term „feminization of poverty“ and its role in integrating the gender perspective in the theoretical discourse of poverty. Attention is also given to the negative effect and impact on professional, family and personal lives of women due to discrimination in the labor market, the high degree of horizontal and vertical gender segregation and gender differences in work and pay. The paper ends with a brief overview of the development of policies on equality between men and women, and the implementation of gender mainstreaming approach in the preparation of programs to combat poverty and gender inequality.