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Anonymous photo of a woman in Nørrebro who does not wish to be recognized out of consideration for her children. Foto: Loui Pedersen

Sarah is one of the Danes who has become poorer as a result of the government’s welfare reform. She talks about the shame of skipping meals and borrowing money from her family.

Single mother of two on reduced welfare: »There is enormous shame associated with not being able to afford things that cost 30-40 kroner«

Anonymous photo of a woman in Nørrebro who does not wish to be recognized out of consideration for her children. Foto: Loui Pedersen

Sarah lives in the middle of Nørrebro, between the brutalist TDC tower at Borups Plads and one of the neighborhood’s most popular bars serving natural wine and sourdough buns. Often, she can only afford to eat one meal a day.

She is in her forties, alone with two children under ten years old, and she is one of the Danes who has had her welfare benefits reduced due to the reform that took effect this summer.

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