Work and Family
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.
Post-Roe, Employees Want—and Expect—Businesses to Help with Reproductive Health Access
A new IWPR survey of 10,000 adults, conducted with Morning Consult and the Center for Reproductive Rights, shows that abortion bans are deeply unpopular, particularly among younger individuals and those planning to have children soon, who prefer to work in areas where reproductive rights [...]
Care Work After COVID-19: Men Help More, but Women Still Carry the Load
Women are significantly more likely than men to spend at least 30 minutes a day providing unpaid care for children or older adults, but the gender gap has decreased since the pandemic. In this Quick Figure, explore the unequal distribution of family care work [...]
Contraceptive Challenges Facing Community College Students
Community college students need access to comprehensive reproductive health care to support them in achieving both their educational and reproductive goals. This brief highlights barriers to contraceptive access among young people attending community college and outlines policies and programs that can support access. Drawing [...]
Reproductive Health Care and Job Decisions Poll
This poll was conducted between August 27-September 1, 2024 among a sample of 10,003 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 [...]
Unequal Burden: Challenges Facing Black Women Social Workers
Social workers provide a myriad of services to individuals, families, and communities, including counseling and psychotherapy, social and health services, case management, advocacy, and other support and resources. Like most caring professions, social work is undervalued, resulting in social workers often earning low wages, [...]
Want to Help Women? Get Rid of the Tipped Minimum Wage.
Tipping is a prevalent practice in the United States and has been subject to debate in recent years, partly amidst a global pandemic that drastically impacted the restaurant industry and triggered a cost-of-living crisis. The fact sheet provides national and state-by-state estimates of the [...]
