MEDS 042: Block-4 (Unit 04) – Gender Dimensions of Urban Poverty

-

 UNIT 4: GENDER DIMENSIONS OF URBAN POVERTY

4.1 Introduction

Urban poverty is a growing concern in the context of rapid urbanisation, especially in developing countries like India. While urban areas are often viewed as spaces of opportunity, they also host vast sections of the poor, particularly in slums and informal settlements. A deeper look reveals that urban poverty is not gender-neutral—women, girls, and gender minorities face disproportionate challenges in accessing resources, services, and livelihoods.

4.2 Urban Poverty: Concept and Gender Dimension

Urban Poverty – Concept

Urban poverty refers to the condition where individuals or households in urban areas lack the necessary resources (income, shelter, access to services) to achieve a minimum standard of living. It encompasses:

·         Income poverty

·         Shelter deprivation

·         Limited access to water, sanitation, healthcare, and education

·         Exclusion from formal employment

Gender Dimension

Urban poverty affects women and men differently due to gendered social roles, discrimination, and unequal access to opportunities. Key aspects include:

·         Feminisation of poverty: A greater proportion of poor are women due to wage disparities, unpaid care work, and social barriers.

·         Gender-based violence: Women in slums face high risks of sexual and domestic violence.

·         Limited economic mobility: Women often have restricted access to formal jobs and financial services.

·         Reproductive burden: Lack of healthcare and maternity benefits intensify women’s vulnerabilities.

4.3 Urban Poverty: Measurement, Estimates and Challenges

Measurement of Urban Poverty

Urban poverty is commonly measured using:

·         Income/Expenditure thresholds (e.g., Tendulkar Committee method)

·         Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Includes health, education, and standard of living.

·         Slum data from Census and NFHS (National Family Health Survey)

Estimates

·         According to Census 2011, ~17% of urban households live in slums.

·         Urban poverty has declined faster than rural poverty, but inequality has increased.

·         Women-headed households are among the most vulnerable.

Challenges in Measurement

·         Invisibility of informal work and care work done by women

·         Lack of disaggregated gender data

·         Underreporting of non-income dimensions like safety and mobility

4.4 Urban Poverty: Causes and Consequences

Causes

·         Rural-urban migration without livelihood security

·         Housing shortages and lack of affordable shelter

·         Informal employment and absence of social protection

·         Gender discrimination in education, employment, and property rights

·         Limited access to childcare and public transport, restricting women’s participation

Consequences (Gendered Impact)

·         Poor health and nutrition for women and children

·         Low education outcomes due to child labour and early marriages

·         Economic dependency on men and reduced agency

·         Exposure to crime and exploitation

·         Inter-generational poverty cycle, particularly affecting girl children

4.5 Let Us Sum Up

Urban poverty is a multidimensional issue, and its impact is deeply shaped by gender. Women in urban poor households often experience intersecting deprivations—economic, social, and physical. Addressing urban poverty through a gender lens is essential for designing inclusive policies and programmes that ensure dignity, equality, and sustainable urban development.

4.6 Keywords

  • Urban Poverty: Deprivation in income and basic services among urban populations.
  • Gender Dimensions: Ways in which poverty affects men, women, and gender minorities differently.
  • Feminisation of Poverty: A trend showing a higher incidence of poverty among women.
  • Informal Work: Employment not regulated or protected by the state, where most urban poor women work.
  • Slums: Densely populated urban areas with substandard housing and lack of services.
  • Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): A poverty measure that includes health, education, and living standards.
  • Social Protection: Government interventions to provide income security and reduce vulnerabilities.
  • Care Economy: Unpaid or underpaid labour related to caregiving and domestic responsibilities.
  • Gender-based Violence: Harm directed at individuals based on gender, often exacerbated by poverty and lack of security.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more