Everyone knows that poverty is an important SOCIAL ISSUE

"I work really hard, but I know I’m just a pay cheque away from being poor."

– but what many people don’t realize is that women living in poverty are more likely to be sick and to die sooner.

Affordable housing, nutritious food, regular exercise, safe neighbourhoods and the ability to pay for whatever medicine you need are things most of us take for granted – but for women who are poor these things are often out of reach.

"Sometimes I have to choose between paying the bills, putting food on the table, or buying my kids the winter clothes they need."

Facts about women's poverty in Manitoba

• 51% of all senior Manitoba women living on their own are poor
  
• more than two-thirds of Manitoba women living in poverty are employed and are not on social assistance
  
• without their spouse’s income, 50% of married women in Manitoba would be living in poverty
• almost 70% of Aboriginal women in Manitoba live below the poverty line
  
• there are 40% more women living in poverty in Manitoba than men

Here's what we can do, together, to improve the health of low income women in Manitoba:

• provide low income workers with dental and prescription drug benefits
• substantially raise the minimum wage
• make recreation, health information and social services accessible to all women
• increase financial assistance for education and job training
• improve access to affordable housing
• increase social assistance rates
• increase the number and availability of subsidized child care spaces
• develop health services sensitive to low income women's needs