1

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

2

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’

3

Reaching the Women

PARO On Wheels , Fly In, K-Net, Contact North 4

Financial Inclusion-MicrofinanceAboriginal Women in the North

Realities of the North

• “it is hard to save when survival comes first”

6

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

8

• 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

PARO on Wheels

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)10

Thank you! Miigwech!

For more information

info@paro.ca110-105 May Street North

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Phone: 807.625.0328 | Fax: 807.625.0317Toll free: 1-800-584-0252 www.paro.ca and

www.enterprisingwomen.ca

11