Women in Canada are disproportionately affected by poverty. Further, gender-based harms associated with poverty can result in harsher effects and experiences for women. We have compiled educational, scholarly, and legal resources for advocates, educators and service providers working with these issues.
Women and Poverty Fact Sheet -[PDF]- From the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF).
Justice For Girls – Justice for Girls works to promote social justice and an end to violence, poverty and racism in the lives of teenage girls who are low income or homeless. Site contains useful articles and advocacy resources related to young women and the law;
Gender Inequality in Poverty in Affluent Nations: The Role of Single Motherhood and the State – [PDF] – Scholarly paper statistically analyzing the prevalence of poverty in women-headed households. Also explores possibilities of state-run programs to attack this niche of poverty.
Feminization of Poverty and Women’s Human Rights – [PDF] – Paper written in 2005 for UNESCO’s SHS Papers in Women’s Studies/ Gender Research. Focuses on the need to pay attention to women’s issues in implementing programs to alleviate poverty.
Disablement and Feminisation of Poverty – Article from an Ontario women’s disability group exploring the interface between disability and the feminisation of poverty. Contains some useful stats (albeit from 2003)
Family Law Information Site – Resources for information on family law issues such as child support and spousal abuse.
UNIFEM – An international NGO/Committee dedicated to taking a women-centric approach to eradicating poverty. Has a Canadian chapter.
Women and Housing in Canada: Barriers to Equality – From the Centre For Equality Rights in Accomodation – 2002 Report analyzes women’s homelessness from the point of view of barriers women face to housing.
Women and Girls: Homelessness and Poverty in Canada – From the Women’s Housing Equality Network – 2008 Factsheet and policy recommendations on the causes and effects of poverty on Women.
