Investing in women is crucial to economic recovery

Addie Davis
Oct. 16, 2009
SOC 202
3:23 pm

Both National Domestic Violence Awareness and World Poverty Day are marked occasions during the month of October. During this national recession, we witness everyday the intersection of domestic violence and poverty. Though poverty does not cause domestic violence, the abuse experienced by low-income women can make the climb out of poverty impossible. Therefore, poverty makes it more difficult to end domestic violence and reduces the options for battered women. National studies have found that more than 50% of women receiving public assistance report having been physically abused at some point in their adult lives. Women closest to the challenges in their community are the ones with the best solutions, which is why funding women is so effective at decreasing problems. Investing in a woman brings security to her as well as her family and her community.

I believe that if communities and lawmakers invest in programs and policies that take into account the effects of poverty and violence on women’s lives, then women will be able to make more efficient contributions to our economy and society. Poverty and domestic violence are directly connected therefore, to overcome poverty we must first work to end domestic violence. I think the best way to do this is by working with low-income, abused women to plan safety strategies such as moving, separation or divorce. A victim must also be able to obtain orders of protection, custody orders or child support.

http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/829422.html