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.
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Political Participation Rank and Score by State
Where to from here? Understanding the Expanding Landscape of Cash Transfers in the US and their Impact on Women
This brief provides an overview of the current landscape of cash transfer programs in the US. It identifies the types of programs being implemented and the target populations they serve, focusing on understanding how cash transfers reach and affect women across various groups. This [...]
Native Women will not Reach Pay Equity with White Men until 2144
In 2022, Native American and Alaskan Native women with earnings (including full-time, part-time, year-round, and part-year workers) were paid only 54.7 cents per dollar paid to non-Hispanic White men (a median annual earnings ratio of 54.7 percent, and a wage gap of 45.3 percent). [...]
Majorities See Education as a Worthwhile Investment and Favor Student Debt Forgiveness in New IWPR Poll
This poll was conducted between October 10–12, 2023, among a sample of 2,207 adults. The interviews were conducted online, and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, gender, race, educational attainment, region, gender by age, and race [...]
Apprenticeships Can Deliver High Earnings but Do So Less for Women than Men
Apprenticeships provide an earn-as-you-learn pathway free of college debt to industry-recognized qualifications in high-demand occupations. In FY 2023*, the median hourly wage for women who completed registered apprenticeships was $22.00 compared with $34.07 for men, a gender earnings ratio of just 64.6 percent. Black [...]
The Costs of Reproductive Health Restrictions: An Economic Case for Ending Harmful State Policies
Access to comprehensive reproductive health care is central to gender equity and women’s full participation in the workplace. For businesses, restrictions on access to reproductive health care are not only at odds with stated corporate values, such as equity and inclusion, they also affect [...]
Reproductive Health Restrictions Cost the Florida Economy Billions of Dollars Each Year–IWPR State Policy at a Glance
Laws and policies that limit access to reproductive health care have devastating and wide-ranging effects on women’s lives, families, and entire communities. These include tangible economic impacts: restricting access to reproductive health care creates barriers to women’s pursuit of education and their participation in [...]