Women's Rights Organisation
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Women's Rights Organisation
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Kivulini Strategic Direction, Message from Board of Directors Kivulini Approach to Preventing Domestic Violence Violence Against Women Situation Brief: International Women's Day
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Poverty and Violence Against WomenIn Tanzania, although women constitute at least 50% of the entire population, social and economic indicators consistently show that women bear the brunt of hardship in poor communities. Their access to and control of resources is low and they seldom control any cash or have independent incomes. Even though there are some aspects of poverty and exploitation that are common to men and women, the sexes differ in many aspects of their exposure to these challenges. Women suffer discrimination and subordination based on social and cultural beliefs and attitudes. In Tanzania, many women perceive themselves to be poorer than men owing to their vulnerability, their lack of asset ownership (including land and livestock) and limited schooling. Gender biases in favour of men, for instance in terms of land and property ownership or access to higher education adds to the pain of poverty by reducing the current and prospective earnings of women[1]. Income inequality throughout Tanzania is highest in Mwanza region. It ranked last among the 20 regions of the Tanzania mainland.[2] In spite of significant efforts to reduce women’s poverty, the situation of women has worsened. The feminisation of poverty has accelerated further women’s dependence and vulnerability. For instance, income inequality in rural areas seems to be higher than the national average of 34%. In rural Mwanza, 87% of people are affected by poverty, and the majority of these are women. Poverty is increasing among female-headed households[3]. In 2007, the Kivulini legal aid centre reported that 44% of the 673 women and girls who sought support indicated they experienced economic violence. Women’s poverty further pushes a girl child to early marriages. |
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