The feminization of poverty refers to the growing concentration of poverty among women and the increasing likelihood that women, particularly those heading households, will experience poverty more severely and persistently than men. It is an important concept in the study of women in the economy because poverty is not gender-neutral. Women often have unequal access to employment, income, property, education, credit, social security and decision-making opportunities. These disadvantages interact with family responsibilities, social norms and labour-market inequalities, making women more vulnerable to economic deprivation. The concept gained prominence through research on women-headed households and the observation that women were increasingly represented among the poor. However, feminization of poverty should not be understood only as an increase in the number of poor women. It also refers to the gender-specific nature of poverty, including women's limited control over resources, greater unpaid work burden, insecurity of employment and weaker bargaining power within households. Women may live in poor households without receiving an equal share of household income or consumption. Therefore, poverty among women needs to be examined both at the household level and at the individual level. One of the major causes of feminization of poverty is women's unequal participation in the labour market. Women have historically had lower labour-force participation than men in many societies. Even when women participate in paid work, they are disproportionately concentrated in informal, casual, temporary and low-paid occupations. Domestic work, agricultural labour, home-based production, petty trade and other forms of informal employment often provide low and irregular incomes and little protection against economic shocks. Women workers may also receive lower wages than men for similar or comparable work. Occupational segregation places women in sectors where earnings and opportunities for advancement are limited. The unequal distribution of unpaid care work is another major factor. Women perform a disproportionate share of household activities such as cooking, cleaning, collecting water and fuel, childcare and caring for elderly or sick family members. Such work is economically valuable but generally unpaid and poorly recognised in national income statistics. The heavy burden of unpaid work restricts women's ability to enter full-time employment, acquire skills, pursue education or start businesses. It can also force women to accept flexible but insecure jobs that fit around domestic responsibilities. The gender gap in education and skills contributes significantly to women's economic vulnerability. Although female educational attainment has improved substantially, disparities remain in access to quality education, technical training, digital skills and professional opportunities in many parts of India. Women with limited education are more likely to remain in low-productivity occupations. Lack of marketable skills reduces their earning capacity and makes them more vulnerable to unemployment and poverty. Limited ownership and control over productive assets is another important dimension. Land, housing, livestock, financial assets and productive equipment provide economic security and opportunities for income generation. Women, however, have often had weaker rights to property and inheritance and less control over household assets. Even when women legally possess property, social practices may prevent them from exercising effective control over it.