Walsh, ChristineGraham, JohnFotheringham, Sarah2016-04-142016-04-1420162016http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2889Canadian women, and particular groups of women, are disproportionately burdened by poverty. Social enterprise is a possible solution to unemployment and low income, but little research pertains to women. A collective case study method, with three women-specific social enterprises in three Canadian cities was employed. Data was collected in 2012 from interviews with staff members and participants, site visits, observations and documentation. Results indicate these models train and employ women who have little opportunity. Through a women-informed, intersectional model, services can be customized to respond to the needs of particular populations of women. Women’s chance of success increases when programs provide combinations of soft and hard skill training, followed by employment in an environment that simultaneously offers comprehensive support. Women are thus supported economically by learning important transferable job and life skills, gaining employment experience and earning an income. Socially, women are helped through various support services and through the building of relationships and self esteem. Organizations receive income generated from the business activity, increase their social standing in the community, and contribute to addressing public needs. The creation of social capital is another advantage. Two main challenges were identified. First, women’s social enterprise appears to be consistently under-funded, leaving these organizations in a position where tough financial decisions occur, often at the cost of the social objective, or vice versa. Further, lack of financial resources also restricts the ability of the enterprise to effectively market their business, thus impacting business generation and employment opportunity for women. Second, there is evidence that questions the long-term economic sustainability for women. Due to low wages, inconsistent hours, lack of further training and additional employment opportunities, women are earning little and continue to depend on other financial supports. These difficulties are linked with an under-resourced sector, begging the question: if funding increased, would these challenges be mitigated? Women’s social enterprise is a valuable approach to alleviating women’s unemployment, exclusion and poverty. However, these models requires further subsidy and ongoing support, and need to be part of a wider structural response to these issues, which include involvement from government, community and other social services.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Education--BusinessEducation--Social SciencesSocial WorkPublic and Social Welfaresocial enterpriseSocial EntrepreneurshipWomensocial economysocial innovationcommunity economic developmentNon-profit organizationsdoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/27812