Resources | Public Policy

excerpted from NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER'S PLATFORM FOR PROGRESS

INTRODUCTION
Throughout history, the actions of Congress, the President and the courts have had a tremendous impact on the progress of women and girls at school, in the workplace, and in almost every other aspect of their lives. Laws, regulations and court decisions prohibiting discrimination and otherwise protecting and advancing women's rights and opportunities have resulted in significant improvements in the lives of women and their families. These improvements have benefited not only individual women and their families but also the nation as a whole. While it is clear that progress has been made, women today are facing enormous challenges - struggling to achieve economic security and health care that meets their needs, and facing difficulties securing access to equal educational and employment opportunities.

Why are reforms needed?

• One in four girls drops out of high school, resulting in an average annual income that falls $9,100 below even the low wages earned by male high school dropouts.
• Women working full time today earn, on average, only 77 cents for every dollar paid to men and face wage gaps and glass ceilings across a wide spectrum of occupations.
• More than 14 million women - one in eight - live in poverty, and single women, women of color and elderly women are especially vulnerable.
• More than 17 million women have no health insurance.
• Federal child care assistance is provided to only one in seven eligible children.
• Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended.

For more information go to www.nwlc.org