Breaking the vicious circle of discrimination and poverty

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Without controversy, discrimination is a key factor and driver of poverty.  People living in rural areas, especially women, do not have equal access to resources. Our rural brothers and sisters often work in informal employment with no job security or adequate social protection. At the same time, they are still expected and held responsible for providing care for their families and homes. Among all the various forms, discrimination against women and girls, especially those in rural communities is the most common and prevalent.

 

For example, a girl who becomes pregnant as a result of rape may find herself excluded from school, reducing her prospects of finding work and securing an independent future. Discrimination and violence against women often go hand in hand, resulting in the denial of women’s rights to health, education, shelter and food. Poverty in turn puts women and girls at risk of further abuse and violence, closing the vicious circle.

 

Without controversy, discrimination undermines the dignity and human rights of many different groups in society, including people in rural areas and the poor. In addition, particular groups of women are especially vulnerable to discrimination, including destitute women, women in institutions or in detention, girls, women with disabilities, and older women who may be accused of “witchcraft” in some communities in Ghana.

 

Undoubtedly, poverty is more than a lack of income or money. Poverty is also an issue of lack of security, lack of voice and lack of choice. The voices of people who live in poverty are rarely heard. Global Dignity Forum is of the view that poverty manifests itself in different ways and affects people and communities. Some groups are hit harder than others, both in rural and urban communities. And it is observed that women at different levels experience the effects of poverty in particular ways because of their roles in society, the community, and the family.

 

It is important that government policies and programmes are tailored towards encouraging women and other marginalized and vulnerable groups to be active citizens who can organise themselves and work to improve their lives and the situation of their families and communities across the country. The role of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in ensuring that women and persons with disability, for example, are given more attention and greater support to make them committed and successful agents of change, not only for their own families and communities but for the whole society.

 

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in Ghana has achieved some significant results. The LEAP programme must be given be supported with more resources and expanded to cover more people in the target group.

 

Clearly, equality in law does not guarantee equality in practice. There must be practical steps and effective action to implement policies and laws to ensure that issues of discrimination are addressed at all levels. It is time to break the vicious circle of discrimination and poverty.

 

Join the Global Dignity Forum Team today to help promote human dignity and rights for effective nation-building and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

You can contact us via email at globaldignityforum@gmail.com.

 

#EndDiscriminationNow

#EndPovertyNow

#PromoteInclusivityforSustainableDevelopment

#GLODIFForHumanDignity

#GLODIFForEquityAndDevelopment

 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Dignity Forum

P. O. Box KN 6307

Accra, Ghana

West Africa

Email: globaldignityforum@gmail.com

Twitter: Global_DignityF

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 12, 2022 at 11:47 AM

    Great piece of articles; sure we need to end discrimination and empower this generation in order to end poverty.

    ReplyDelete

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