Chambers 5

dimensions
of Poverty
LECTURER: MS LONDIWE JALI

JaliL1@ukzn.ac.za

S O C Y 2 0 2 : P O V E RT Y A N D I N E Q U A L I T Y
Multidimension Importance
Core aim is to emphasize that poverty is multi-dimensional condition where the poverty of people is
context specific, dynamic and social and political, as well as economic.
 Dimensions of Poverty
/ Deprivation Trap

Need to move beyond “simple numbers” to investigate

and understand “complex realities” – Chambers

Multidimensional view of poverty

Dimensions of Poverty / Deprivation Trap

Poverty

Physical Weakness

Isolation

Vulnerability (Assets)

Powerlessness
 Dimensions of Poverty

Poverty
Lack of adequate income or the assets needed to generate income. Lack of
employment.

Without access to land or the ability to grow their own food, access to
dependable wage labour emerges as a major factor defining poverty.

Poor have numerous small, often dangerous jobs, rather than one job.
 Dimensions of Poverty
Physical Weakness
Disability, sickness, disease, pain

For many the body is a resource

Having a household member who is physically weak, sick or handicapped, unable to contribute to the
household livelihood but needing to be fed and taken care of is a common cause of income poverty and
deprivation.

Hunger and food insecurity brings about malnutrition .

Dimensions of Poverty
Isolation
◦ Duals, groups, or communities experience a combination of
linked problems, such as unemployment, low incomes, poor
housing, poor health, high crime and low educational standard.
◦ "inability to participate effectively in economic, political and
cultural life, and, in some characterizations, alienation and
distance from mainstream security.“
◦ Isolated geographically
◦ Isolated in communication – lacking contacts and information,
including not being able to read.
◦ Isolated by a lack of social services and markets
◦ Isolated by a lack of social or economic supports.
 Dimensions of Poverty

Vulnerability

oUnderstanding both the short-term coping strategies, and long-term adaptation to livelihood
stress.
oVulnerability is the degree of exposure to risk, and the capacity of households or individuals
to prevent, mitigate or cope with risks.
o Vulnerability is thus linked with levels of net assets (stocks) rather than flows of income or
consumption, and combines exposure to a threat, with susceptibility or sensitivity to its
adverse consequences (Devereux, 2001)
oAnalysis of vulnerability involves identifying not only the risks (or threats) but also the
resilience in resisting or recovering from the negative effects of a changing environment
 Dimensions of Poverty
Vulnerability (cont’d)

Lack of key sets of assets, exposing individuals, households and communities to increased or disproportionate risk to
impoverishment.

Assets
oPhysical capital

oHuman Capital

oSocial Capital

oEnvironmental Assets – Decline and Shocks

 Dimensions of Poverty

Powerlessness
oPowerlessness within existing social, economic, political and cultural structures.
o “ When one is poor, she has no say in public and feels inferior” - Ugandan women
o “ A feeling of powerlessness and an inability to make oneself be heard” - Cameroon

o Poor have unequal social relations with those in power.

o “fear from the landlord misbehaving, trouble by police. Poor people always fear
exploitation by the rich” - Poor people from Nepal