We cannot ignore the fact that poverty predominantly affects women and the consequences of economic insecurity are real. Being unable to access health care, buy nutritious food or obtain adequate housing can place women, and their children, in serious jeopardy. For example, women who are experiencing domestic violence may be forced into a situation where they must choose between feeding their children and leaving an abusive partner.
The inadequacy of traditional measures of poverty hides the fact that many more women, particularly single mothers, face considerable barriers to reaching even basic self sufficiency. We must ensure that women are paid adequately for the work they perform and have the tools to keep the wages they earn. Importantly, we must search beyond traditional ways of looking at poverty and understand the true numbers of women who do not reach self sufficiency.
In Miami-Dade County,
- Nearly 40% of single female headed families with at least one child live at or below the federal poverty level.
- 86% of single female headed families live below self-sufficiency.
- Only 46% of all women who work earn enough to be self-sufficient.
- 67% of working women are employed in occupations with a median wage below the overall median, compared with 53% of men.
- For working single mothers a lack of affordable and accessible child care can create challenges for maintaining steady employment. Miami-Dade County needs at least twice as many subsidized childcare slots to meet the current need.
The Portrait of Women’s Economic Security in Greater Miami highlights the real life experiences of women in Miami-Dade County, explores critical issues and challenges, and sets an agenda to address those challenges.
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