Women in Developing Countries

It is an established fact that women are biologically stronger than their male counterparts enabling them to enjoy a higher life expectancy. This is seen in the statistics of the developed world where the sex differential is nearly seven years. However, in developing countries the health status of women is not so bright and the differential can be as low as two years and sometimes even in the minus. The reason for this is mainly their high rates of morality in childhood and at child-bearing ages. Social customs and tradition places them at a lower level than, males; in some countries they eat only when the men and boys have finished. Female morality rates in some of the developing countries can be higher than 30 to 50 per cent of males. This book discusses the status and living conditions of women in developing countries in all its aspects and dimensions and provides a clear picture of the miseries they have to endure because of their sex.