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Why Equality is Better for Everyone. . . .’Almost everything –from life expectancy to mental illness, violence to illiteracy- is affected not by how wealthy a society is, but how equal it is.’
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Why Equality is Better for Everyone • . . .’Almost everything –from life expectancy to mental illness, violence to illiteracy- is affected not by how wealthy a society is, but how equal it is.’ • . . .’Societies with a bigger gap between rich and poor are bad for everyone in them-including the well-off.’ ~ The Spirit Level- Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett
Women in Northern Ontario • lower self-employment rates • earn 30% less then males • earn less than other women in Ontario • healthy life expectancy is lower • FN people take their own lives at twice the national average. • women’s social status and roles contribute to health inequities. • Primary issues -violence against women, challenges of women caregivers, and increased risks from pesticide exposure for rural women. • First Nations women continue to experience inequities in social and economic status. • form the minority of political leadership. • Transportation -deep effect on lives restricting participation in social and economic opportunities. Lower income more impact. • ‘If Women are Poor; their Children are Poor’
Reaching the Women PARO On Wheels , Fly In, K-Net, Contact North
Financial Inclusion-Microfinance Aboriginal Women in the North
Realities of the North • “it is hard to save when survival comes first”
New Beginnings Peer Lending Circle Lake Helen Reserve/ Nipigon
PARO services • micro loans through peer lending circles • holistic micro-enterprise training and counselling starting with empowerment • mentoring, marketing & networking opportunities through bizClusters, Social media, awards. • Social Enterprise- Helping women with employment, financial literacy & ‘connecting’ and non-profits with capacity building through Accelerated Access, Placement Agency, and PARO Presents store that sells products
PARO on Wheels • serves women living in rural, urban and remote communities across Northern Ontario from Kenora to Timmins and North to Moosonee • supported by video-conferencing & e-learning through Contact North and K-Net
Ways community can support • Equality of financial and other distributions • Resources need to be aimed at the grass roots level • Use cooperative values (collective) • Support community businesses • Provide child and family care so women can access supports • Advocate for infrastructure (better roads and buildings -to and on reserve)
Thank you! Miigwech! For more information info@paro.ca 110-105 May Street North Thunder Bay, Ontario Phone: 807.625.0328 | Fax: 807.625.0317 Toll free: 1-800-584-0252 www.paro.caand www.enterprisingwomen.ca