Promoting Employment for Women as a Strategy for Poverty Reduction

Two main arguments are presented in current debates on women and economic empowerment. The right-based argument focuses on increasing women's job opportunities and their freedom to work in security and dignity. The economic argument emphasises women's economic capacities and potential contribution to economic growth. The economic argument draws on the fact that women tend to reinvest their income in improved nutrition, health and education for household members, thus increasing living standards and reducing “non-income poverty” in the long term. The Decent Work agenda of the ILO supports both arguments in combining the poverty reduction agenda with the fundamental right to work in freedom through the four pillars: Opportunities, Rights, Protection, and Voice.