A Gateshead report into gendered inequalities has brought shocking statistics to light.
Single mums are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis and women are also more likely to be domestic abuse victims.
The report generated cross-party unity at Gateshead Council to do more to tackle the issues.
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The figures were collated in a report titled “Mind the Gap: Women and health inequalities”, authored by Gateshead's director of public health, Alice Wiseman.
The report into gendered health inequalities found:
- Life expectancy gaps are growing faster in disadvantaged women
- Fourty-five per cent of single parents live in poverty, 90% of single parents are women
- One in 56 women in Gateshead reported domestic abuse in 2021
- One in five women referred to the Domestic Abuse Team in Gateshead was either pregnant or had recently given birth
Ms Wiseman said: "With 45% of single parents living in poverty, and 90% of those being single mothers, the cost of living crisis is hitting this group the hardest.
“Over the last few decades, we have made a lot of progress in relation to gender equality, but the content of this report confirms that we still have a long way to go. We need to create conditions that enable women and girls to reach their full potential, which means supporting them throughout pregnancy and beyond, providing well-paid employment with good terms and conditions, tackling violence and abuse, and addressing female-specific health and care needs.
"Achieving true gender equality benefits everyone, including men and boys, so we must make these recommendations a reality if we are to make Gateshead a place where everyone can thrive.”
Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors have announced a united front, and support Ms Wiseman's calls for more to be done to counter gendered inequalities.
Labour councillor Angela Douglas, chair of the community safety board, said: “Domestic abuse and violence can happen to anyone, but it disproportionately impacts women, and those affected can often find it hard to escape in fear of making the situation worse. We know that perpetrators of domestic abuse often isolate their partner, making it harder to seek help from family and friends, and women with children will often question whether leaving is best for their family.
“This situation if made more difficult for women who are financially disadvantaged. Women are more likely to have caring responsibilities for children and elderly relatives, so may not have access to their own source of income. The cost of living crisis is also having a huge impact, with Gateshead Domestic Abuse Team increasingly hearing of those affected not being able to afford a place of their own, pay energy bills, or provide food for themselves and their family. All these issues can make it even harder to leave an abusive relationship.
“As a priority, local authorities, police, health and care services, and community partners need to work together to tackle domestic abuse and provide support to victims, survivors, and their children to live a life free from abuse.”
Ms Wiseman's report also revealed more than half of women in Gateshead avoid going to certain areas for fear of their safety as compared to 30% of men.
Newly elected Liberal Democrat leader Ron Beadle said: "The report shows that poverty impacts massively on many groups in society, and Alice Wiseman is absolutely right to raise concerns, especially on the impact on women and girls who are often carrying the heaviest burden of the cost of living crisis.
“Some feel trapped in abusive relationships made worse by the economic conditions people are suffering. As a council, we need to look at when intervention is most effective.
“It is clear to me that there should be earlier intervention, giving those in abusive relationships more opportunity to escape from abusive relationships at an earlier stage. The council needs to consider how best to achieve that."
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