Gender inequality exacerbates the impact of poverty on women.

Deep-rooted patriarchal social morals in India and Nepal lead to gender inequality that exacerbates the impact of poverty on women.

Societal norms in India and Nepal are such that it’s difficult for women to find work even for those who want to work. The diminished status of women also means that families give preference to boys over girls at a young age, further exacerbating gender inequality and even resulting in significant discrepancies in survival rates between girls and boys due to selective abortions and general neglect.

Women also commonly have less power when it comes to decision making in the home, are less educated and less likely to own land.

Women in poverty and health

From a health perspective, in poorly ventilated dwellings, indoor smoke can be 100 times higher than acceptable levels for fine particles. Exposure is particularly high among women and young children, who spend the most time near the hearth (World Health Organization, 2018). When women are aware and educated about alternatives for cooking and lighting, they can drastically improve their health and the health of their family.

Women’s education

Millions of women across India and Nepal lack access to education opportunities. Education enables women to understand their potential, act on their aspirations, confront their traditional role and change their life. Women also make up more than two thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate people (UN Women, 2012). Educated women are more likely to have greater decision-making power within their households.

Women’s empowerment

A key concept for women empowerment is gender equality. Gender equality refers to equal opportunities and outcomes for women and men. This involves the removal of discrimination for access to resources, opportunities and services, and the promotion of equal rights.

Equality does not mean that women should be the same as men. Promoting equality recognizes that men and women have different roles and needs, and takes these into account in developing planning and programs.

Sometimes people will refer to gender equity. Gender equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful, while gender equality is treating everyone fairly. 

As the starting place for women in the communities we serve is much lower than their male counterparts, we intentionally create opportunities to engage women and enable them to reach their potential.

Women’s empowerment and work

Across both India and Nepal there is striking inequality in financial resources and consequently power distribution between men and women. Studies have shown that working women are more likely to control household finances, and women who own economic resources are far less likely to be victims of domestic abuse.

More than half of the work done by women in India is unpaid with almost all of it informal and unprotected. In Nepal, on average women spend four hours a day performing unpaid work, while men spend less than one hour (United Nations India Business Forum, 2018 and United Nations Human Rights, 2016).

Women who are provided with an opportunity to work will invest 90% of their earnings into their families’ development (International Finance Corporation, 2013).

Learn how we empower women.