Women’s Poverty

Women who work full-time, year-round earn only 71 cents for every dollar earned by men. 20% of women are in low-wage occupations, compared to 10% of men.

Almost half (47%) of people receiving Ontario Works are sole support parents and their children – the vast majority are sole support mothers.

Lone mothers receiving social assistance are not allowed to keep child support payments from the father.

The Ontario government deducts these payments from their social assistance cheque. In Quebec, parents are allowed to keep $100/month.

Poverty often traps women in abusive relationships. Without access to adequate income, housing, childcare and decent employment, many women and their children are trapped.

Source: 2010 Ontario Report Card on Child & Family Poverty