Poverty Has a Woman’s Face March 26, 2008 Jill But women are fighting back: Women Thrive Worldwide has more info on the feminization of poverty. Women like Leticia and Betilde are doing the day-to-day work of surviving, and are helping other women in their communities do the same. But this is not an individual problem, and it shouldn’t be treated like one. World-wide poverty should be a priority for every government — but it should especially be on the radar screen in the richest country in the world.
I just wanted to bring attention to the Juan Pablo Segundo Cooperative in Honduras as well. When I went to Honduras, we visited these women, many who are single mothers trying to avoid becoming domestic help or prostitutes. They are teaching themselves how to sew garments, blankets, bags, pot holders, and so on so they can support themselves. Although some lost their husbands because they went overseas or to another country for a job, many also lost their husbands in the past few devastating hurricanes (Mitch, Wilma). These women were very wonderful to speak to and there is a woman here helping them sell their work, but they don’t have a lot of publicity about them and they’re having trouble selling it, so it’s hard for them to make a living. Please check it out and if you can, purchase an item. They’re really cheap and a little money goes a long way. Also, they’re saving money to buy woodworking equipment so that the men in their families can get work in Honduras, rather than leave their wives and children behind to find work elsewhere. They’re all very brave and wonderful women who are doing so much just to get by.
Poverty affects many women, including women like me in the US. Being that I’m disabled, the government gives me a monthly check of $600, 1/3 of it goes toward rent for my room. I barely make enough to live by myself, so I live with my family. I am trying to find a job that suits me.