Structural adjustment has intensified the struggle of women for survival. Generally, the economic crisis has resulted in less food at higher prices. Devaluation of currency has also resulted in higher prices for food. There have been cuts to social services, and food subsidies have been reduced. The current socio-economic condition of women can be described as one where there are low levels of education, literacy rates and incomes.
Women have few occupational skills, high unemployment, and limited access to credit and land.
Women become the poorest of the poor for a variety of reasons. Among these is the marginalization of women from decision making, the power over the structures of production, trade and finance. There is an alarming increase of women and children living in poverty both in the North and the South. Increasing numbers of these women are homeless, refugees and slum dwellers. Poverty alleviation should be the first priority of any economic policy.