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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Feminisation of poverty in Riverlea
Author:Strong, Nicolette
Year:1996
Periodical:Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity
Issue:31
Pages:68-80
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:urban poverty
female-headed households
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10130950.1996.9675569
Abstract:In 1995 the author undertook a qualitative study of female-headed households in the Johannesburg suburb of Riverlea (South Africa), a predominantly coloured area. The research showed that female-headed households had lower levels of income, and higher levels of unemployment and overcrowding compared with male-headed households. This article examines the reasons behind the poverty of female-headed households. It first outlines the poverty debate - looking at definitions of poverty, key indictors and theories on poverty. Then it turns to the Riverlea case study and examines the relationship of female headship, social problems, and maintenance to poverty. It shows that the most prevalent problems for women heads of households revolve around poverty (State pensions and disability grants being the main source of income) and the lack of housing. Finally, it explores some recent policy initiatives for alleviating poverty in Riverlea, such as the Maintenance Action Group (MAG) report (1996), the Lund Committee recommendations (1996) on the State maintenance system, the Flagship Programme for unemployed women and children under five and the draft white paper for social welfare (1996). Bibliogr.
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