African-Canadian women among poorest of poor, CASW report.

Ottawa--African Canadian women are among the poorest of the poor in Canada, according to a report published by the Canadian Association of Social Workers. The report points to racism in the work place and limited access to higher education as major factors contributing to this poverty group.

"African Canadian women are in double jeopardy in terms of income," says Veronica Marsman, president of CASW. "Being Black, they belong to a marginalized group whose income is among the lowest in Canada. Being women, they have less income than men." However, low income among African Canadian women cannot be explained by gender alone, Marsman adds.

The report, Income of Black Women in Canada, examines the level and distribution of income among African Canadian women. It explores the impact of racism on Black women's lives in two areas having a direct influence on their income, namely education and employment.

Based on the 2001 census, the report shows that:

* the average income of African Canadian women was $20,029, while the average income of all Canadians was $29,769.

* the average wage of African Canadian women was 79% of what African Canadian men earned and only 57% of what all Canadian men earned. A disproportionate share of AfricanCanadian women had incomes below the poverty line:

* 34.5% of African Canadian women in families were poor; only 13.7% of all women in families;

* 52.7% of unattached African Canadian women were poor; 41.9% of all unattached women were poor.

The report finds African Canadian women are unemployed at a rate that is 63% higher than for all women.

The CASW report calls for the reduction of income inequality and poverty among African Canadians by:

* implementing programs that support access to higher education and work experience;

* improving the effectiveness of government income transfers;

* promoting employment equity programs and anti-racist workplace education. "A commitment to systemic changes can improve the quality of life of African Canadian women." www.casw-acts.ca