As an advocate for women and girls, I take the position that, given our limited resources, if we want to get the biggest bang for our buck and end multi-generational poverty, we need to focus on impoverished women and girls. More than half of the U.S. population is made up of girls, many of whom will grow to be mothers. In the case of black and brown girls and women in the United States, their children’s fathers and partners are very likely to become incarcerated and/or suffer premature death. These girls and women are then left to raise and live in families with little financial or human support. The burden of this likely life circumstance coupled with other social ills can create or perpetuate poverty. Reducing premature deaths and their impact will reduce poverty. Therefore, if we really want to help, we should be devoting our energies toward this vulnerable group of individuals. When we invest in the health of a girl, we help her escape poverty and gain resources that she will bring to her family, community, and country. Investing in health is our best anti-poverty policy. -- Dr Janice Johnson
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:14:06 +0000