Ziqitza HealthCare Ltd | Women Slum Dweller’s Condition

The health condition urban slum dwellers, is threatened by a variety of tropical diseases and in order to achieve health equity there is an utter need to “level up” living conditions for the poor. This could be done by reducing differential exposure and vulnerabilities among different groups in society.The scale of urban poverty is greatly under estimated — its nature misunderstood and the best means for reducing it is rarely acted upon. A recent survey brought to light certain aspects of poverty which affect women and children adversely.

The fact that the female slum dwellers have extremely limited opportunities for a decent lifestyle is very evident as there exists lack of healthy and fulfilling lives, and at the same time they have to carry out immense responsibilities for maintaining their homes and families. Owing to the cultural norms, women in urban slums tend to spend more time in the home caring for their families and households.

Factors in the home such as poor sanitation, leaking roofs, flooding and fire risks increase inhabitants’ vulnerability to the disease. Since women spend more time in the home, they are more susceptible to the adverse health outcomes associated with derisory housing conditions.