Gender, Health, and Hidden Inequalities: A Feminist Political Economy Perspective from Urban Slums

Abstract

Women living in urban slums face compounded vulnerabilities stemming from structural inequalities, gendered labor divisions, and limited access to health resources. This paper examines the interplay between gender, health, and hidden inequalities in three hypothetical slum communities in Kolkata, India. Using the Feminist Political Economy (FPE) framework, data from 35 married women, collected through semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observation, and six expert consultations, reveal that women’s unpaid care work, informal employment, and child care responsibilities create invisible health and social burdens. The study highlights how digital vulnerabilities, environmental hazards, and insufficient institutional support exacerbate inequalities. Findings indicate that addressing these hidden dimensions requires integrated interventions that link health, livelihoods, and social support, emphasizing women’s agency and structural change. Policy recommendations advocate for community-centered, gender-sensitive, and sustainable approaches to urban poverty alleviation.

Keywords: Feminist Political Economy; Gender Inequality; Women’s Health; Urban Slums; Informal Labor; Care Work; Socio-Economic Marginalization; Digital Vulnerability

Citation

Jayasree Das. Gender, Health, and Hidden Inequalities: A Feminist Political Economy Perspective from Urban Slums. WebLog J Intern Med. wjim.2026.i0702. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22652857