London life harsh on Bangladeshi women

Bangladeshi women in London experience high levels of poverty,
exclusion and discrimination, and one in three cares for a
chronically ill partner, states new research.

The study, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and carried out in the
London borough of Tower Hamlets – home to the largest Banglasdeshi
community in the UK – reveals that three-quarters of families are
living in overcrowded housing.

Half the 100 women surveyed described their own health as poor or
very poor and many suffered from depression and anxiety.

The foundation recommends targeted funding to support financial and
social needs among large families and the development of specialist
support to access health and welfare provision. It also calls for
moves to tackle discrimination.

University of Keele social studies professor and co-author of the
report Chris Phillipson, said: “The depth of social exclusion
illustrated by inadequate housing, poor health and low income
underlines the case for an urgent, targeted response within social
policy.”

– Women in Transition from 01235 465500