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.
Details
Map Description, legend or descriptive text
Section Links
Political Participation Rank and Score by State
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 [...]
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 [...]
Paid Sick Leave Access Increased during the Last Decade, but Inequities Remain
This fact sheet examines changes in access to paid sick leave between 2012 and 2022. Utilizing data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the fact sheet updates an earlier IWPR analysis that utilized data from the same survey released in 2012. The [...]
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
IWPR Releases New Poll Detailing the Concerns of Caregivers and Women in the Workforce
Care is the cornerstone of economic activity, yet it remains undervalued and underfunded in the American economy, adversely impacting caregivers and those in need. IWPR's recent poll of women in the workforce details the concerns that many caregivers have about the impact of their [...]