Reproductive Rights
The equal participation of women in politics and government is integral to building strong communities and a vibrant democracy in which women and men can thrive. By voting, running for office, and engaging in civil society as leaders and activists, women shape laws, policies, and decision-making in ways that reflect their interests and needs, as well as those of their families and communities.
Today, women constitute a powerful force in the electorate and inform policymaking at all levels of government. Yet, women continue to be underrepresented in governments across the nation and face barriers that often make it difficult for them to exercise political power and assume leadership positions in the public sphere. This chapter presents data on several aspects of women’s involvement in the political process in the United States: voter registration and turnout, female state and federal elected and appointed representation, and state-based institutional resources for women. It examines how women fare on these indicators of women’s status, the progress women have made and where it has stalled, and how racial and ethnic disparities compound gender disparities in specific forms of political participation.
Details
Map Description, legend or descriptive text
Section Links
Political Participation Rank and Score by State
Quality Employment for Women in the Green Economy: Industry, Occupation, and State-by-State Job Estimates
This report provides the first-ever estimates of women’s employment in the green economy, state-by-state, by industry, and by occupation. The analysis draws on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey; the Brookings-Battelle Clean Economy database; and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Green Goods and Services survey.
College Students with Children are Common and Face Many Challenges in Completing Higher Education Summary
The role of parenthood in postsecondary outcomes needs greater focus from the higher education reform community.
Increasing Pathways to Legal Status for Immigrant In-Home Care Workers
This paper explores options for reforming the U.S. visa system to increase the pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrant women interested in providing long-term care for the elderly and for individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Key Findings on the Economic Status of Women in North Carolina
Women in North Carolina have made significant social and economic advances in recent decades, but the need for further progress remains. A forthcoming report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), The Status of Women in North Carolina, shows that many of North Carolina’s women are vulnerable to challenges such as unemployment, a persistent wage gap, poverty, and the high cost of child care.
Webinar: Student Parent Success Initiative on federal supports for low-income student parents through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF)
DOWNLOAD REPORT Slideshow/Powerpoint presentation from the Student Parent Success Initiative webinar on federal supports for low-income student parents through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) highlighting existing programs in Minnesota and Virginia. 7/25/2012
The Pregnancy Assistance Fund as a Support for Student Parents in Postsecondary Education
Only two states, Minnesota and Virginia, have used their PAF grants to provide services related to postsecondary institutions. This fact sheet describes several of the programs and initiatives created by these PAF grantees.
