Poor Women in Urban India: Issues and Strategies

It is generally recognised that poverty is experienced differently according to their gender, age, caste, class and ethnicity and within households. Income levels, food security and indeed life choices, are invariably influenced by these factors. The main burden from these inequitable power relations falls on women, the elderly, the disabled and young children, especially the girl child. If one looks at the economic activities of the urban poor, most are engaged are engaged in informal activities and women generally fall at the bottom and of the sub-contracting chain, performing the lowest paid activities such as home based prices and domestic services . In urban settings, the family support chain often breaks down with women facing particular stresses as they attempt to balance their work and domestic tasks. The impact of media, alcohol, drugs etc. on conditions of worsening deprivation of women tend to exacerbate harassment and physical abuse within the households, the community and from employers. The health status of women and children, is also particularly bad in relation to men. CARE India, as part of its long term strategic programs focusses on empowering women in urban slums.