FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2020
Contact: Keri A. Potts | 860-839-3438 | potts@iwpr.org

IWPR Statement—We applaud the passage of the $900 billion federal stimulus package meant to ease the economic burden and hardship faced by working women and their families. Although a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to ensure that families have the economic supports to fully recover and women are able to re-enter the workforce. The negotiated package cuts weekly enhanced benefits and one-time payments to individuals by half. Of particular concern, ten billion dollars was allocated to child care, far less than the $50 – $100 billion we estimated will be necessary to ensure a gender-equitable economic recovery.

We anticipate there will be a robust recovery package within the first several months of the new administration. In the package, there will be a need to focus on the most impacted by the COVID-fueled economic recession: women, lower-wage workers and those employed in the most impacted sectors. Child care, paid sick leave, and continued economic and social supports will be key to recovery for working women and their families.

Without addressing the root causes of women’s inability to re-enter the workforce, sustain employment, or provide for their families, the economic instability and social inequities laid bare by the pandemic will persist.

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Contact: Keri A. Potts, IWPR Vice President External Affairs | potts@iwpr.org | 860-839-3438