Poverty puts a strain on relationships: women are particularly at risk!

Poverty puts a strain on relationships: women are particularly at risk!

A current study by the Universities of Bremen and Flensburg shows alarming connections between poverty and violence in relationships. The researchers Dr. Ruth Abramowski from the University of Bremen and Dr. Lara Minkus from the European University of Flensburg examined 1,667 women who separated from their partners. The results, published in the journal PLOS One, show that unemployment and financial dissatisfaction are strongly correlated with the frequency of violence in relationships. In particular, among employed women, almost one in nine reported physical violence, while among women without employment it was almost one in five. Unemployment increases the risk of relationship violence almost double.

Another important finding of the study shows that women with children are particularly at risk. The risk of violence increases by around a third for mothers with one child; The risk is even higher for women with two or more children. The authors of the study emphasize the need for targeted financial support offers to counteract such dramatic developments.

The social dimension of poverty

The results of the study fit into a broader context of social insecurity in Germany. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, around 14.4 percent of the population, approximately 12.1 million people, live in monetary poverty. These numbers have increased over the past two decades, particularly among single parents, children and the elderly. The reform of the social security system since 2005, especially the introduction of Hartz IV, contributed significantly to these changes, and the citizens' benefit, which has been in effect since the end of 2022, only offers limited improvements.

In Germany, one in five children now has an increased risk of poverty, and more than 40 percent of single-parent households are at risk of poverty. Social inequality is particularly pronounced: women are overrepresented in low-wage jobs, which not only negatively affects their current financial situation, but also their pension rights. The so-called “Gender Pension Gap” means that many older women have to live below the poverty line.

Gender and poverty risks

The gender differences in poverty distribution are also a central issue. The 2023 microcensus reports a poverty risk of 17.6 percent for women, compared to 15.5 percent for men. This imbalance is further exacerbated by factors such as gender stereotypes, precarious employment and the fact that 82 percent of single parents are women. The Corona crisis has also exacerbated existing inequalities by making it more difficult for many mothers to combine work and family.

Diakonie therefore calls for a gender-equitable social policy in order to reduce these inequalities and offer those affected better support. Reforms in the social system, increasing benefits and introducing universal basic child benefits are among the proposed measures.

The shocking reality is that violence against women continues to be a pressing problem, with the alarming figures that by 2023 a woman will be the victim of domestic violence every three minutes. Given these issues, it is essential to provide financial and social support to create the foundations for a safe and dignified life.

The research results and the associated calls for improvements in the social system are a powerful sign that a turning point is necessary to break the cycle of poverty and violence and to sustainably improve the quality of life for the women and families affected. With this in mind, the question remains: How much longer can society stand by while so many people suffer in intolerable conditions?