Political Participation
Shaping their own future
When women participate in the political process, they shape policies in ways that reflect their interests and needs. The Status of Women in the States’ Political Participation Index looks at women as voters, grassroots activists and campaign fundraisers, and officeholders and examines the uneven progress they have made.
Articles and Publications
The Retirement Income Gap Leaves Women Aged 65+ at Higher Risk of Poverty than Men
At 32.6 percent, the gender gap in retirement income—the sum of pension and Social Security income—was 4.0 percent larger than the 28.0 percent gender gap in median earnings in 2021. Women’s account balances are the main driver of this gap. Read more on this [...]
Toward Equity: After a Decade of Progress, Gaps in Access to Paid Sick Leave Remain
This blog originally appeared on the Policies for Action (P4A) website. The importance of paid sick leave was underscored in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world grappled with the challenges of a global health crisis, the simple act of staying home when [...]
Advancing Equity in Attainment for Black Single Mothers in College: Understanding Their Needs and Supporting Their Success
As part of its broader Student Parent Success Initiative, IWPR conducted original research focusing specifically on Black single mother students. This report summarizes findings from 25 interviews IWPR conducted with Black single mother community college students, consisting of both students who were enrolled at [...]
The Black Maternal Health Crisis: Federal and State Policy Solutions
Black maternal health is in a state of emergency in the United States. The US has the highest rate of maternal mortality of wealthy nations, and although rates have skyrocketed over the last two decades for all women, Black women are around three times [...]
All Americans Deserve Paid Leave Benefits: Policy Options for Congress
Better paid leave policies benefit all workers but are particularly important for women. IWPR’s research has consistently shown the economic benefits of investments in paid leave. Read more on IWPR's policy recommendations. Read More
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women Earn Less than White Men in All but One State
In 2022, the median annual earnings of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women for a year of full-time work were 92.7 percent of White men’s and just 80.1 percent when considering part-time and part-year workers as well. Click below to read [...]
