Time:
11/07/2019 - 10:35 to 11/07/2019 - 12:05
Room:
302a
Feminization of Poverty in Japan: Single Mothers and Survivors of Domestic Violence
Type:
Proposal(Workshop / Presentation)
Coordinating organization:
All Japan Women's Shelter Network
Theme:
Equality and Economic Empowerment
Language:
English
Organization Name:
All Japan Women's Shelter Network
Organization Introduction:
In 1998, to extend care and assistance to domestic violence survivors (both women and children), we gathered with other non-government shelters to form the network – All Japan Women’s Shelter. In 2003, we officially registered as a non-profit organization.
From the north of Hokkaido to the south of Okinawa, there is a total of more than 100 shelters in Japan, and 66 shelters have joined our network as partners. All Japan Women’s Shelter creates synergy by galvanizing the efforts of local women’s organizations to promote needed changes in the Domestic Violent Prevention Law. Furthermore, the network provides mutual support and sharing of strategies. Our final goal is eliminating all forms of violence toward women and children; hence, we focus on domestic violence, and also rape, sexual exploitation, and sexual harassment. We organize the regular conference since 1998, inviting frontline social workers and experts globally to share their policies and implementation strategies/practices in their country. Apart from using a variety of channels to be a voice for the survivors, we also provide a series of comprehensive services, from professional psychological counseling, short-term placement, job training programs to help survivors gain the ability to return to independent living in the society.
From the north of Hokkaido to the south of Okinawa, there is a total of more than 100 shelters in Japan, and 66 shelters have joined our network as partners. All Japan Women’s Shelter creates synergy by galvanizing the efforts of local women’s organizations to promote needed changes in the Domestic Violent Prevention Law. Furthermore, the network provides mutual support and sharing of strategies. Our final goal is eliminating all forms of violence toward women and children; hence, we focus on domestic violence, and also rape, sexual exploitation, and sexual harassment. We organize the regular conference since 1998, inviting frontline social workers and experts globally to share their policies and implementation strategies/practices in their country. Apart from using a variety of channels to be a voice for the survivors, we also provide a series of comprehensive services, from professional psychological counseling, short-term placement, job training programs to help survivors gain the ability to return to independent living in the society.
Describe your workshop/presentation (300-500 words):
Do you know that working women earn roughly 30 percent less than men doing a similar job in Japan, and about 60 percent of women who work hold part-time, contract or temporary jobs where pay is lower and benefits can be non-existent? This fact hits single mothers, who are too often survivors of domestic violence. Those that get alimony or child support from their ex-spouse or live with their parents are "the lucky ones". In Japan, single parents are more likely to live in poverty with a job than without, according to the OECD. Child Support Allowance (jido fuyo teate) is paid to a single mother/father or a guardian who looks after a cohabiting child until the first March 31 following the child’s 18th birthday; however, single mothers have to go through the discriminatory procedure. This session will review the current situation of the feminization of poverty in Japan with the focus on single mothers and survivors of domestic violence, and examine what needs to be done.