Feminization of poverty means where a woman earns but has no right over her earnings, instead it's the man of the house or her husband who decides what she should do with her money. Most of the time, the money is used for husband's 'well being' and for his family. At times, the woman is left with no money for herself. She needs to consult the husband even to buy basic necessities for herself. This scenario is called 'Feminization of poverty'
If she is unmarried then she needs to hand over her earnings to her father, brother or another male member of the house.
The patriarchal system makes her believe that she has no authority over her earnings because she is a 'woman' and she is obligated to serve men her whole life, in all ways possible. As being born as a 'female' is a burden to family and society.
From childhood, this patriarchal system hardwires into her mind that, since her father or other male relatives cared for her as a child, it is her duty to repay them and by giving them her hard-earned money, she isn't doing anything extraordinary. The same misogynistic system further claims that her husband has rights on her in every way including her emotions and earnings as he isn't just providing her shelter but also protecting her honour.
© Ayesha F Muskaan
