Olivier De Shutter not too long ago carried out a two-month mission to the European Union, the place girls are extra possible than males to fall into poverty, a scenario which has deteriorated additional as a result of COVID-19[feminine pandémie.

UN News s’est entretenu avec M. De Shutter avant Journée internationale de la femme marqué chaque année le 8 mars.

Pourquoi les femmes sont-elles plus susceptibles d’être touchées par la pauvreté que les hommes dans l’UE?

Les femmes sont beaucoup plus exposées au risque de pauvreté que les hommes (22,3% contre 20,4% dans l’UE). Ce qui est peut-être encore plus frappant, c’est que pour les femmes âgées, en particulier ayant atteint l’âge de la retraite, les écarts sont nettement plus élevés (en moyenne 37,2% dans l’UE).

Il existe encore une division des rôles entre les femmes et les hommes au sein des ménages, ce qui fait qu’il est plus difficile pour les femmes de rechercher un emploi à long terme à plein temps. Les carrières des femmes sont souvent interrompues pour s’occuper des enfants, et beaucoup plus de femmes travaillent à temps partiel, de sorte que le niveau des pensions qu’elles perçoivent est beaucoup plus bas.

The vast majority of single-parent households are additionally headed by girls and at least 40% of those households are liable to poverty or social exclusion.

It’s a big share. Social safety programs have probably not responded to altering household patterns and girls are disproportionately affected by this case.

What has been the affect of the COVID-19 disaster on girls?

Sadly, I worry that the pandemic might imply a significant step backwards by way of gender equality. The disaster is more likely to lead many extra girls than males to surrender full-time jobs. As well as, the closure of faculties has elevated the burden on girls, who take care of kids greater than males.

Nevertheless, there may be additionally a rising consciousness that the important capabilities they carry out within the well being sector and the care economic system are underestimated. I hope that these important staff, nearly all of whom are girls, might be higher paid and have improved employment contracts sooner or later.

What have to be achieved to struggle poverty for all?

The COVID-19 disaster, regardless of all of the human struggling it inflicts, is a chance to reopen the controversy on the kind of society we would like.

We should construct a society with an inclusive economic system that provides each particular person a good likelihood to earn a good residing. This implies tackling discrimination in opposition to folks residing in poverty, creating extra job alternatives for the low-skilled and investing in lifelong schooling and coaching to make sure everybody has an opportunity. to compete. It goes manner past the standard concept that we simply have to create wealth after which redistribute it.

Are you able to share testimonials from the ladies you might have spoken to in your mission?

Behind the numbers are actual individuals who have wonderful issues to say. I met a girl who acquired meals packages however didn’t have a kitchen to prepare dinner the meals she acquired. I’ve met girls who’ve found that there’s not sufficient room within the shelters they search to achieve as a result of they’re fleeing home violence. Shelters had been overcrowded because the disaster as a result of elevated price of home violence.

What must be achieved to enhance the scenario of ladies within the EU?

Finally, this requires a reallocation of roles throughout the family, and with out this modification occurring, it will likely be very troublesome to beat the prevailing gaps.

EU member states must also make investments extra in early childhood schooling and care to allow girls to have full-time employment. This is able to give them larger financial independence, permitting them to make their very own selections in life.

There must also be larger transparency in corporations’ pay insurance policies to make sure respect for the precept of equal pay for work of equal worth. We should overcome the 14% gender pay hole with out additional delay.

What motivates you in your work?

I’ve had a privileged existence and I really feel indebted for it, so I consider it’s the most pure factor to do to present a voice to those that have been silenced to date.

Individuals experiencing poverty have been handled as an issue to be addressed, however not as actors with experiences from which we will be taught. I think about that my position is to present a voice to those folks and, due to this fact, to have politicians a lot better knowledgeable by their lived experiences. I believe that is one of the simplest ways to enhance our capability to struggle poverty and cut back inequalities.