Caritas: "The Risk of Poverty for Women is Greatly Underestimated"

Every third woman in Austria living in a shared household with others is at risk of poverty. This is shown by a study commissioned by Caritas, which for the first time examined the individual poverty risk of women compared to men in households. The results were presented at a press conference in Vienna. "The actual poverty risk of women is significantly underestimated," emphasized Caritas President Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler.

Financial Dependency Due to Unequal Income

Previous poverty measurements are based on household income, assuming it is evenly distributed, explained study leader Katrin Gasior from Southern African Social Policy Research Insights (SASPRI). In reality, however, the distribution of income is unequal, leading to financial dependencies.

Only the individual and gender-specific consideration makes the financial inequalities and insecurities of women visible, according to the study author: "When we look at individual incomes, the poverty risk for women increases significantly, while it remains the same for men." The individual income of one-third of women is below the poverty line. This highlights: "Anyone without their own subsistence income is on thin ice," explained Tödtling-Musenbichler.

Care Work Increases Poverty Risk

Employment reduces the risk of poverty, but only in full-time work. "Women who work part-time or are self-employed are significantly less secure." According to the study results, women with children are particularly affected, as this often goes hand in hand with a reduction in working hours for women. "For men, it has no impact because their participation in the workplace is not influenced by children in the household," explained the study author. Two-thirds of the care work for children or relatives is carried out by women, according to Tödtling-Musenbichler.

Social System in Austria Reinforces Inequality for Women

Over the past ten years, the state has contributed little to improving the situation of women. The social system even contributes to inequality because women's income is lower: Social benefits are based on individual earned income and therefore have a stronger poverty-reducing effect for men in unemployment or retirement than for women. Self-employed individuals - especially women - are particularly at risk, as they have less access to social benefits.

The social system is still based on the model of male full-time employment, said Tödtling-Musenbichler. The Caritas President therefore once again called for political measures, as poverty is a consequence of unjust structures. In addition to the nationwide expansion of kindergartens and all-day schools and closing all gender gaps, "a fair distribution and recognition of care work" is needed. This must also be considered in pension calculations. Because: "If paid work is more equally distributed between men and women, the imbalances in poverty risk are reduced."

(APA/Red)

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