October 15, 2024 – A new report released by UN Women reveals a shocking figure: 2 billion women and girls worldwide have no access to social protection, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to poverty and widening the global gender gap. The report, “World Survey on the Role of Women in Development 2024,” was published ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17 and highlights the urgent need to address gender disparities in key social policies.
Table of Contents
Widening Gender Gap in Social Protection
Despite some overall improvements in social protection levels since 2015, the report indicates that men have benefited more than women from these advancements. Social protection, which includes policies such as cash benefits, unemployment protection, pensions, and healthcare, is essential for reducing poverty. However, in most developing regions, the gap between men and women has grown wider.
Sarah Hendriks, Director of the Policy, Program and Intergovernmental Division at UN Women, presented the report alongside the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. “The potential of social protection for gender equality, resilience, and transformation is enormous,” said Hendriks. “To harness this, we need to center the dignity, agency, and empowerment of women and girls at every stage of the process — from policy and program design to delivery and financing.”
Maternity Protection: A Global Crisis
One of the most glaring issues highlighted in the report is the lack of maternity benefits for millions of women. More than 63% of women worldwide give birth without any access to maternity benefits, with the figure rising to an alarming 94% in sub-Saharan Africa. This lack of support places women at a severe economic disadvantage, jeopardizing their health and well-being and that of their children.
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The absence of financial assistance during maternity leave also perpetuates poverty across generations. Without this support, many women are forced to leave the workforce or face significant economic strain, leading to long-term consequences for their families and communities.
Poverty and Gender Inequality at Every Stage of Life
The report paints a stark picture of the gendered nature of poverty, with women and girls being disproportionately represented among the poor throughout their lives. The most significant gaps are seen during their childbearing years, with women aged 25-34 being 25% more likely to live in extreme poverty compared to men of the same age.
This inequality is further exacerbated by external factors such as conflict and climate change. Women living in fragile environments are 7.7 times more likely to experience extreme poverty than those in more stable regions. The report also underscores how gender-specific risks and vulnerabilities are often overlooked in the aftermath of economic or social shocks, such as the high inflation rates that have driven up food and energy prices since 2022.
Government Responses Falling Short
The global economic crisis has prompted governments to adopt nearly 1,000 social protection measures across 171 countries. However, only 18% of these specifically targeted women’s economic security, according to the report. This oversight has left many women struggling with the effects of inflation and other financial hardships without adequate support.
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Examples of Progress: Hope Amidst Challenges
Despite the concerning findings, the report spotlights several examples of progress. In Mongolia, maternity leave benefits have been extended to informal workers, including herders and the self-employed. Additionally, countries like Mexico and Tunisia have made strides in integrating domestic workers into their social security systems, demonstrating that change is possible when policies focus on inclusivity.
UN Women is calling on governments to create sustainable pathways out of poverty for women and girls by prioritizing their needs in social protection measures and crisis responses. “Governments must ensure that social protection policies are not just gender-neutral but gender-transformative,” said Hendriks.
A Call for Action
The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is presented every five years to the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly. It provides a crucial opportunity to place gender equality issues on the economic policy agenda and unite global efforts to promote human rights and sustainable development.
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As the world observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, this report serves as a reminder that addressing the gender gap in social protection is not just a matter of fairness but a necessity for lifting millions of women and girls out of poverty and ensuring a more equal and just world for all.
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