Week 5 Discussion Qs

1) Dr. Jaggar and the UNIFEM article this week, among probably many other experts and organizations, have mentioned the "feminization of global poverty." Is this really what's happening? Is this a misrepresentation of a problem that has always existed (namely, women being highly represented among the global poor) that is simply only now being recognized?

2) Several of the articles mention peer support. According to the UNIFEM article, institutions that target women are more likely to rely on clients to hold each other accountable rather than imposing monitoring procedures. Why are women considered more capable of self-monitoring? Why are social pressures more effective/important among women?

3) All-women rotating savings groups, as we know, save money for various reasons. One of the more prominent reasons, though, is to protect their families/themselves against disasters/emergencies/big expenditures. My question is why should women be expected to do this? Does the man contribute anything if his daughter is getting married? If a storm destroyed the family home? If someone was unexpectedly injured? Does the man have any responsibilities (financial or otherwise) in these situations?