Economic Autonomy

Financial insecurity can be a debilitating barrier to accessing to HIV prevention, care, and support.

About Economic Autonomy

Economic autonomy is well recognized as a key determinant of women’s health. Financial insecurity was repeatedly identified as a debilitating barrier to women’s health outcomes and access to HIV prevention, care, and support.

Economic autonomy was described as:

  • Having a safe and stable home
  • Access to healthy food
  • Safe, reliable transportation
  • Affordable childcare
  • Access to communication tools
  • Provision of medication
  • Gainful employment
  • The ability to support family, including family outside of Canada

Because health is more than just basic needs, women also noted the importance of access to educational opportunities that would enable economic growth; opportunities for grassroots organizing where they could enact community care; and funding opportunities to support women’s employment and work.

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62% of women interviewed during WHAI’s community consultations indicated they have not been able to, or have only partially been able meet the practical needs of themselves and their family (n=121).1
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50% of the cis and Trans women who participated in the OHTN Cohort Study 2022 survey reported household food insecurity (n=489).2

What is WHAI doing?

WHAI’s work in this area is anchored to community development in partnership with a strong network and includes:

  • Networking with community partners to help inform strategies to address economic barriers faced by WHAI’s priority populations that increase risks related to HIV and impact access to HIV care and support (i.e., through workgroups and committee work)
  • Building community capacity for warm and thoughtful referral pathways to services that provide financial assistance, employment services, or educational supports
  • Supporting capacity building initiatives and accessible wrap around services that enhance meaningful employment opportunities for WHAI’s priority populations, linking to GIPA and MEPA

Featured Resources From WHAI

Older woman with her hair tied back, resting her chin on her hand, looking thoughtfully to the side.
Fact Sheet, Report, Website
Fact Sheet, Report, Website

The Facts about Women and Poverty in Canada

Jul 25, 2023
Report
Report

Beyond Survival: Helping Women Transition out of Poverty

Jul 25, 2023
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