The Status of Women in the States project ranks and grades Maine across several areas of women’s lives. While Maine performs better in some areas, no matter the rank, there are still barriers and inequities that prevent women from succeeding and thriving. Across all indices, Maine ranks toward the top of states in the country. Maines’s performance is the strongest on the Political Participation and Reproductive Rights indices. Maines’s performance is weakest on the Employment and Earnings and the Health and Well-Being indices.
Explore the Data
As state policies and programs have changed over the years, so has the status of women in Maine. Since 1996, Maine has made progress in some areas, while lagging in others.
Articles and Publications
Equal Pay Policies and the Gender Wage Gap: A Compilation of Recent Research
This brief compiles recent research on the impact of equal pay laws and policies on the gender wage gap.
For Young Mothers during COVID, Employment Does Not Equal Security
A large proportion of young mothers—especially young Black and single mothers—remain economically insecure despite high levels of employment.
Resilience in Hard Times: Young Women Report Optimism in the Face of Pandemic Recession
New IWPR survey data show that young women remain remarkably optimistic about achieving the “American dream” in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. To ensure young women stay on track toward achieving their dreams, policies that support them in their academic and professional pursuits should be prioritized.
