WOMEN IN POVERTY

Poverty crushes the lives of millions worldwide. The harsh realities of poverty are very personal to those who suffer from hunger, filthy water, dangerous homes, disease and scorn every day.  Denied an education, health care and fair employment by corruption and discrimination, they are trapped in the endless cycle of poverty.

According to the U.N., the majority of people living in poverty are women. Women in developing countries travel an average of almost four miles each day to collect water, which is not always safe for drinking. Worldwide, 2.5 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation, and about 885 million people do not have access to clean water.

Around 21,000 children worldwide will die today because of poverty-related causes. Those who survive childhood in poverty are hindered from improving their future by economic and cultural barriers. However, an educated daughter can better care for her parents, herself and her children. As girls learn to read and write, they also learn about proper nutrition, sanitation, problem solving, relationships and how to build healthy homes and communities. When young girls are taught to plan for a better future, they are less likely to be sexually active, have babies too early or get sexually transmitted diseases.

Teaching job skills or seminars on healthy living, writing petitions to draw the attention of community leaders, raising funds to dig a well or obtain proper toilet facilities are simple ways to help end poverty. Project Hannah prayer groups and the Women of Hope programs in over 58 languages help provide practical advice to millions of women, mothers and young girls and offer dignity and hope through Jesus Christ.  (Project Hannah)