Children of Incarcerated Parents

and have adequate shelter can make an enormous difference to their lives. Violence
against women is a major contributing factor to HIV infection. Poverty associated with
high-risk for HIV transmission, which adds to the stigma and social risk for women and
girls in particular. Poverty and its correlates like malnutrition and parasite burden can
weaken the host and create a dangerous environment, making sex and birth and
medical care riskier for poor women.
Islam
Religion
In a 2004 report by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research, Muslim
women were found more likely to work part-time jobs than Muslim men because of their
religion's emphasis on the role of women as caregivers and housekeepers. The study
found that these women are more likely to be financially dependent than men because
of they choose to participate less in the labor market. Muslim women who choose to
wear traditional female Muslim accessories such as henna and hijabs may have a more
difficult time finding employment than those who do not wear such clothing. On the local
level, a woman was fired from a Jiffy Lube for refusing to remove her hijab at work
because it violated the company's "no hat" rule. In the 2008 case Webb versus
Philadelphia, the court ruled that an officer wearing her hijab with her uniform, was in
violation of the states' standard of neutrality. Because of the violation of the this
standard, she was not allowed to legally wear the hijab while on duty.
Traditional Judaism
Under traditional Halachic law, Jewish women are also considered to be household
caregivers rather than breadwinners. Within the Jewish text, the Mishnah, it states "she
should fill for him his cup, make ready his bed and wash his face, hands and feet," when
describing the role of women under Jewish law.
Christianity
Certain sects of Christianity also regard women as more family-oriented than men.
Women in certain sects of Christianity, namely Pentecostal women, may leave their
faith traditions in order to obtain employment and escape poverty.
Female Poverty by Region
Many developing countries in the world have exceptionally high rates of females under
the poverty line. Many countries in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe deprive women of
access to higher income and important capabilities. Women in these countries are
disproportionately put at the highest risk of poverty and continue to face social and
cultural barriers that prevent them from escaping poverty.
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