Gender Dimension of Urban Poverty in the Era of Neo-liberalism

Objectives: a) To study and focus on feminization of urban poverty; b) To analyze the vulnerabilities of the urban poor women; c) To analyze the gender discrimination and patriarchal values of the society towards the poor women; d) To study the discriminations against women in house, workplace and market; e) To analyze whether urbanization and neoliberal reforms a boon or bane for the poor women; and f) To assess and analyze the magnitude and intensity of the poverty burden on women Results: The complex nature of relationship between urban poverty and gender discrimination is a critical issue to be focused on. On the one hand, urbanization offers opportunities for women, on the other hand increases the vulnerabilities of the poor women. Neoliberal macroeconomic policies have accentuated inequality and poverty on urban women as paid, unpaid and underpaid workers. As home makers, women have shouldered the burden of globalization due to the commercialization of day-to-day needs. There is an urgent need for affirmative action by democratic institutions of the nation states and for evolving new strategies to address the vicious circle of poverty, discrimination and gender. Conclusions: Without progress towards gender equality and empowerment of the women none of the millennium development goals will be achieved and without protecting the rights of the women, globalization cannot have a human face.