Women at the heart of the social economy : what motivates women to work in the social economy in Whitehorse, Yukon?

Abstract

This thesis looks at the importance of women in the social economy in Whitehorse and the motivations influencing women's participation in this sector of the economy. Women's involvement in the traditional economy has been very different from that of men; historically women have been largely excluded from paid labour. Women have different life experiences, needs, and social and familial responsibilities than men, which are shaped by their respective roles in society (Canadian Women's Community Economic Development Council, 2005, pg.1). The focus of this thesis is on identifying the important and unique role of women in this northern social economy and to identify the motivations to their involvement as well as the issues women face working in this sector.