Women’s financial situations are impacted in very different ways to men
INFORMATION DEVELOPED FOR ACT WOMEN
Women’s Health Matters has developed the following information resources for ACT women.
Women’s financial situations are impacted in very different ways to men
Financial wellbeing is central to women’s overall health and wellbeing, but for women financial wellbeing can be more challenging to achieve than for men, as women’s financial situations are impacted in very different ways to men.
Women’s experiences in paid and unpaid work have a direct bearing on their financial security:
All these factors reduce many women’s lifetime earnings and affect the time they spend in paid employment, meaning they accumulate and retire with less superannuation and savings than men even though they tend to live longer than men by an average of 5 to 10 years, and will therefore require more money for their financial wellbeing in retirement.
Major life changes like divorce and separation, the death of a partner, a health episode or acquiring an illness or disability, are also more likely to impact on the future financial security of women.
Women experiencing domestic violence in the ACT also face particular financial pressures, which can exacerbate violence and limit the options available.
And despite experience with household budgets, women can still doubt their ability to manage money, and have trouble finding trusted, independent financial information.
In the ACT, the high average income and education levels can mask hidden pockets of disadvantage. Our research has found:
We worked with CARE Financial Counselling to create local, accessible and reliable financial resources tailored to particular population groups of women in the ACT vulnerable to experiencing financial disadvantage: women leaving domestic violence, women leaving prison and older single women. These resources are accessible below.
We also partnered with the Domestic Violence Crisis Service on a project (Beyond Crisis) with ACT businesses to identify opportunities and solutions to reduce barriers for women leaving domestic violence situations so they can successfully resettle. A major initiative to come out of this work was the ground breaking Assistance Beyond Crisis, a micro-finance facility which offers one-off, no interest loans to local people who have escaped from domestic violence situations.
Financial Resource for women leaving domestic violence in the ACT
Financial Resource for women leaving domestic violence in the ACT (RTF)
Who can I talk to about money before, during and after I leave violence
Will I need to access legal advice to protect my finances
How do I safely start planning my finances
What if I don’t have current, or up to date, proof of identification (ID)
What do I need to think about in relation to my money and banking
What financial support might I be eligible for
What types of emergency or crisis support can I access
What financial assistance for housing is available to me
What if I can’t afford to pay my utility bill(s)
What low cost food assistance and other assistance can I access if i need emergency support
What affordable health services can I access
How can I manage my money on a tight budget
What if I need to borrow money or access credit
What do I need to think about with work and income
What about the costs associated with children
What support can I get with transport
How can I afford to stay connected – phones and internet access
What do I need to think about before I leave prison
What changes can I expect when I leave prison that may affect my money and finances
Who can I talk to about my finances and managing my debts once I leave prison
What if I don’t have current or up to date proof of identification
What do I need to think about in relation to my money and banking
What financial support might I be eligible for
What types of emergency or crisis support can I access as I leave prison
What low cost food assistance and other assistance can I access if I need to
What if I can’t afford to pay my utility bill(s)
What affordable health services can I access
What do I need to think about with work and income
What support can I get with transport
What about the costs associated with children
What assistance is there with the cost of pets
How can I manage my money on a tight budget
What if I need to borrow money or access credit
Who can I talk to about money and my finances
Who can I talk to about legal advice to protect my money and finances
What do I need to think about in relation to my money and banking
How can I manage my money on a tight budget
What if I need to borrow money or access credit
What if I can’t afford to pay my utility bill(s)
What financial support might I be eligible for
What affordable health services can I access
What support can I get with transport
What financial assistance for housing is available to me
How can I afford to stay connected – phones and internet
What do I need to know about wills, powers of attorney and going guarantor
June 2017 Submission to the Inquiry into Insecure Employment in the ACT Read more »Close »
Submission to the Inquiry into Insecure Employment in the ACT
Submission to the Inquiry into Insecure Employment in the ACT
November 2011 Submission to Transport for Canberra Plan 2011-2031 Read more »Close »
August 2011 Submission to the Community Consultation on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Read more »Close »