Feminisation of poverty among girl children : towards social transformation

Abstract

Poverty is an international societal impediment. Women and children are the most vulnerable populations to poverty which has led to the coining of the term ‘feminisation of poverty’. This paper is based on literature review as it discusses the factors that promote the feminisation of poverty among girl children in selected African countries. Most of the factors which have been identified are as a result of the predominance of the system of patriarchy and rigid social and cultural traditions. The factors include sexual abuse of girl children; child and forced marriages; commercial sex exploitation of girl children; impact of HIV/AIDS and poor quality of education for girls. In light of the factors identified in the literature reviewed, the authors of this paper recommended social transformation in societies in order to reduce poverty among girl children. There is a need to make the communities aware of the girl child’s rights so that they can prioritise the girl-child’s best interests too. The government should prioritise instituting programmes and interventions to advocate for a cost-benefit analysis of cultural practices. This will help stop certain cultural practices which exploit the girl child and make her vulnerable to poverty.