[UK] 'Women Are Leading The Fight Against Poverty'

From Life Style Extra

Big-hearted British women moved by last year's global disasters are leading the fight against poverty, reveals a new report.

Millions have vowed to do more to alleviate suffering among less fortunate people around the world in the aftermath of the tsunami and the Kashmir earthquake.

Oxfam, which wants a million people to sign up to its "I'm in" campaign, says women and young people are in the forefront.

One-in-four (26 per cent) women in the UK say they now have a greater inclination to support a charity, and four-in-10 young people agree.

Women surpass men in almost every measure of charitable behaviour. More than a quarter of women (26 per cent) donate to charity on a monthly basis, compared with one in five men (22 per cent), and 55 per cent of women put their hands in their pockets on an ad hoc basis, against 47 per cent of men.

But women do more than just give money. They played a key role in the Make Poverty History campaign with 15 per cent wearing a white band, compared to nine per cent of men.

They are more inclined to take campaigning action whether attending marches or writing to their MP and they are more likely to give their time to a charity, according to the YouGov survey of 2,196 adults, of whom 1,703 are charitably active.

The events of 2005 also had a profound effect on the younger generation. Two in five (40 per cent) of 18 to 29 year olds say it has made them more likely to support a charity by campaigning, volunteering or donating compared to a quarter (24 per cent) of the population as a whole.

People in central Scotland, where last summer's G8 summit took place, were more affected than others in the UK, one in three living there say they are now more likely to act to end global poverty.

Oxfam campaigns director Adrian Lovett said: "2005 showed what can be achieved when we act together against poverty and suffering - and this research shows just how much determination there is to keep on going.

"Now we want a million people to show their support. All of us can play our part, by donating, campaigning or volunteering. The first step is to say 'I'm in'."

To sign up to "I'm in", visit www.oxfam.org.uk phone 0845 20 20 123, or text "In" to 87099. Once people have provided their name and contact details, the agency will then contact them to ask for their support in one of three ways - to donate, volunteer or campaign for change.