Tools of the Trade - lift women out of poverty

Aperçu:

**The Problem** The face of poverty in Canada is a woman’s face. 1 in 7 women in Canada are living in poverty. When women live in poverty, so do their children. Women in poverty are much more vulnerable to illness and abuse. Infant mortality rates for low-income women are twice as high as for other women. Almost a million children rely on foodbanks. One very effective way out of poverty is for women to learn a skilled trade (ie. carpentry, plumbing, welding). There are huge opportunities in this field and women currently represent only 7% of people in the trades. **There are a number of barriers for low-income women to consider the trades – one being that they cannot afford the equipment (the “tools of the trade”)** **The Solution: Tools of the Trade!** Support from the Aviva Community Fund would help100 low-income women across Canada acquire the necessary “tools of the trade” so that they can enter a career in trades. This would include hardhats, toolbelts, hammers, drills and other tools that the women require. Canadian Women’s Foundation supports programs that help low-income women enter the Trades industry. These programs include childcare and other supports that women need in order to begin their journey out of poverty. **Give low-income women and their families the tools of the trade!**