The story of women in poverty is often a neglected and misrepresented story. Many people often draw up stereotypical images of the “poor, needy, ill-educated, and partying single mother with a large number of kids on financial aid”.
Few people think about the woman who strategises her monthly plans on feeding, clothing and providing security for herself, her children and how she can be a productive member of the community.
Every woman who has experienced poverty has laid in bed dreaming of aspirations, goals and life plans. But the reality is, women are faced with the many complicated layers of poverty. These complicated layers also include the challenges of navigating the dangers of a controlled and oppressive system. How do women overcome this?
The truth is that many do not overcome the struggle, many do not survive the struggle – the truth is – many women do not live to see their potential and successes realised, because women are also victims of violence, domestic abuse, sexual assaults and murder on a daily basis worldwide.
“The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) says that domestic violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations. Some 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months (in 2020)” – Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka wrote on 6 April. (un.org)
Women’s Action, Change, Today (A.C.T) was founded in 2016 by Human Rights Advocate Dani Pen. Women’s A.C.T (Action, Change, Today) is an International Advocacy Group committed to equality, justice, empowerment and support for women who are survivors of sexual assault, violence and domestic abuse.
In recognising The International Women’s Month and Women’s A.C.T five-year anniversary, the advocacy group is hosting a private four-part online series on “Women & Poverty”.
Every Thursday at 8pm AST during the month of March, Women’s A.C.T will be featuring a different international speaker who will share their personal story about how they managed to survive and overcome the struggles of poverty in their lives.
On March 4, Justice Advocate Kayla Williams will be the opening host in conversation with Dani Pen, Founder of Women’s A.C.T.
Dani will be sharing her journey of growing up on the streets in one of the most violent ghettos in America; from Cleveland, Brooklyn to Toronto and the poverty that she endured as a young child from dumpster diving, lining up at the soup kitchen to sleeping in homeless shelters.
Jonalyn Linatoc will be featured on March 11. She will speak about women, friendships and sisterhood. Hear her share her own personal journey and during her time of struggle, how she overcame the challenges of facing betrayals and criticism from other women; and how she found genuine friendships.
On March 18, participants will hear from Loida Ratteray, who will share her personal immigration story from Colombia to America. She will speak from the lens of a daughter witnessing her own mother’s struggle and the trials and tribulations she had to endure; from living on Government food stamps to using food banks; and how her faith helped her to overcome those struggles.
And concluding the series on March 25, will be Amreta Dyal who will share her personal journey as a single mother raising five young children on her own. Hear her speak about her journey from Guyana to Canada, about her struggles and the sacrifices she made to ensure she was able to provide food, clothing and the necessities for her children.
The online series will only be live-streamed privately and only to members of Women’s A.C.T Facebook group. New individuals are welcomed to join the online advocacy group but must answer the required entry questions. To join click here or email womensact@gmail.com.
