70% of those in poverty are women

Women make up 70% of the world’s poverty population, according to a Dutch microfinance loans company.

A study by firm Oikocredit, entitled ‘The universal truth of women empowerment’, shows that no matter which country is looked at, women are much more likely than men to be in poverty.

The study looked at microfinance, a type of banking system aimed at those who are too poor to access normal banking routes, in Bulgaria, Kenya, Peru and the Philippines.

Dr Shobha Arole, Oikocredit board president said: “A lack of access to basic education, economic and property rights means 70% of the world’s poor are female.

“These are the groups who are marginalised, victims of violence ad vulnerable in every sense of the word.”

Oikocredit offers microfinance to families in poverty around the globe, reaching 69 different countries, with 16.8 million people assisted by the private cooperative financial institution since it was established in 1975.

Dutch minister for development, Bert Koenders, said: “Economic empowerment and women’s rights are independent, each reinforces the other.

“By making use of their economic skills and qualifications, we will build a stronger foundation for long-term economic growth and contribute to greater equality between men and women.”

One of the problems highlighted by the report is that even if microcredit is taken out in a women’s name, she will not necessarily have control over it.

The report said: “It is possible that a husband or male family members use the money, with the woman taking the microcredit simply because she is more eligible.

“Some writers state that women, instead of benefiting, actually suffer if they have access to microfinance funds. It is suggested that their husbands may see this as encouragement to decrease their contribution to the household.”