Why Focus on Women and Girls?

...Because many are in harm's way or totally unprepared for the future.

#1.  IN HARM'S WAY

Over 41% of the female population struggles financially. [1] They are either poor, at the brink of being poor, or living from pay check to pay check, [2] [2A]

A recent report shows a connect between violence on women and girls and economic insecurity. [3]  The safety and economic security of women and girls is of great importance to FLOW.

1 in 3 women are abused in their life-time

Domestic violence is abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner that is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control.[4]  Different types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, and financial.

The poorer the woman the more incidence of abuse

Although domestic violence occurs across socio-economic lines,  women without financial resources are seven times more likely to be battered or abused than women in higher income categories. [5]

Impoverished girls are 22x more likely to be abused

Although most families that lack adequate resources  do not maltreat their children, economic insecurity is a risk factor commonly associated with maltreatment. [6]
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FLOW  has an affinity interest in girls aging out of the foster care system. These young ladies are among the most at-risk group for poor life outcomes in American society!  Compared to the general public, they are the most likely to face adverse life trajectories. 

Greater likelihood of being abused, pregnant, unemployed, and homeless.

#2. SINGLE.. RETIRED.. BROKE

Single women... women who are unmarried, divorced, or widowed... between the ages of 44 and 64 are under-prepared for  retirement, with four out of ten having less than $10,000 in savings. [7]

In addition to little or no savings, the average woman has no retirement plan [8], credit card debt [9], a hefty housing payment, and an ailing mother dependent upon her for support [10]. She will likely age to be old [11], alone [12], sick [13] and broke if she does not take steps now to save herself!

FLOW helps women and girls gain power and control over their lives through our financial literacy programs designed to promote financial education, saving, and asset building.

The presence of even a small amount of cash at critical times can have a transformative affect on a woman or girl’s life course.