An extensive series of measures have been deployed since 2016 to promote job placements among women in vulnerable situations, bring dignity to the most feminised professional sectors, fight against gender inequalities in the labour market and foster the socio-political participation of women in the city.
The Strategy against the Feminisation of Poverty and Job Insecurity (EFPP) 2016-2024 includes 71 initiatives in its sixth year of implementation, 90% of which have been carried out or are in progress.
Cumulative figures since the start of the strategy show that over 138,600 beneficiaries and 455 enterprises and organisations have taken part in it, during which 325 programmes and some hundred campaigns have been launched.
The strategy is divided into three large areas of intervention: city of rights, data and information system and economics for life and organisation of time.
1st area: Data and information systems
The aim is to make a comprehensive and exhaustive study of the phenomenon of feminization of poverty. The variable of sex has been incorporated into every form, questionnaire, research and study, complemented in some cases with more complex variables.
Nineteen studies have been conducted and published while reflection and knowledge have been promoted through the holding of events such as the 3rd Rosa Virós Forum, aimed at analysing the causes behind inequalities between men and women
2nd area: Economics for live and organization of time
This is centred on the labour market and on domestic and care work.
More than 24,000 women have taken part in 25 activation, training and job-placement programmes, close to 9,000 of whom have found formal employment. Financial aid has also been awarded to over 500 SMEs for encouraging the employment of women and more than 100 enterprises have received advice on gender equality.
As for domestic and care work, over 300 awareness-raising programmes, activities and campaigns for promoting co-responsibility and publicising the range of available resources.
What is more, the Home Care Service has attended to more than 65,000 women. And the Barcelona Cuida space, intended for raising awareness of all existing resources in the field of care and making them accessible to everyone, has provided care in over 2,500 cases.
3rd area: City of rights
It deals with basic issues for well-being and social inclusion. More than 36 million euros in financial aid have been awarded to women from vulnerable groups under various headings: aid for children, single parenting, housing, transport, job placements, basic needs and so on.
As for health, more than 6,000 women have received health care through the Dentistry and Chiropody Municipal Services for individuals in vulnerable situations. The SIRIAN sexual and reproductive health programme has considerably reduced teenage pregnancy rates in the neighbourhoods where it has been implemented. The 100% discount for municipal sports facilities has been extended to single-parent families. The promotion of the pursuit of sport among women has been boosted through a specific line of subsidies, the “Woman and Sport” award and the launch of projects such as “School Mothers” and the “Women’s Fun Run”.
As for housing, more than 1,800 women in vulnerable situations and/or as heads of single-parent families have been awarded a dwelling.
Part of the EFPP, the Feminist Economics Government Measure was approved in 2021 with sixty-eight initiatives for improving the economic, social and employment conditions of the most feminised jobs, which are typified by an insecurity that has worsened since the health-emergency crisis.