Why A Women's Agenda

Women care about a variety of issues. In fact, these issues cut across all ages, races, ethnicities, economic status, and even political parties. Women care about public education, health care, safe streets, and safety in our homes. We care about job security, day care, elder care, and a clean and healthy environment. Women care about all issues!

Adding Women's Voices

Although men care about these same issues, women are not represented in adequate numbers at the federal, state, or local levels of government thus leaving it to mostly men to decide policies and priorities. Because women do not have parity in elected positions, our unique perspectives are not being heard in Congress or in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In fact, Pennsylvania ranks 47th when looking at the number of women holding elected office, and 47th in terms of women's overall political participation!

Electing more women to public office is certainly a priority, but we cannot wait until women achieve parity to make our voices heard. What we can do right now is make sure that women are registered to vote and are voting, and we can create opportunities for women to visit their elected officials to discuss issues of concern. For this reason, WomenVote PA and our coalition partners are working to create a progressive women's agenda for Pennsylvania, a document stating progressive policy positions on a variety of issues.

A Pennsylvania Women's Agenda

Below is an outline of possible topics for inclusion in a progressive Pennsylvania women's agenda. The issues cover particular areas where attention is needed and for which policy may be developed during the coming year. In some cases, legislation may be proposed as a possible solution.

The Pennylvania Women's Agenda will be used to educate women about the issues, learn about additional resoures, discuss solutions, and to encourage women's participation in the political process. In the future, these issues will be linked to more detailed policy positions and initiatives. If you have suggestions, we would like to hear from you.

Civic Engagement, Protecting Democracy, and Elections

• Flexible Election Day Schedules
• Same Day Voter Registration and/or Early Voting
• Absentee Ballot Campaign for Pregnant Women
• Voter Identification and Integrity

Civil Rights, Equal Rights, and Liberties

• Adding Marital Status to the PA Human Relations Act to prevent discrimination based on marital or familial status
• Marriage Equality: Opposing Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage (PA Law already prohibits same-sex marriage)
• Gender and Racial Parity in Committee appointments
• Pay Equity

Criminal Justice Issues

• Court Interpreters and representation of non-English speakers
• Expanding Domestic Violence Shelters/Services
• Family Court Resources
• Judicial Bypass – is it working for young women
• Protection from Abuse Orders
• Status of Women in Prison
• Gun Violence Prevention
• Child Abuse and Neglect

Education

• Supporting and investing in Public Education
• After School Programs and Community Centers
• Gender Equity in Athletics and Title IX
• Comprehensive Sexuality Education
• Ending School Violence

Environment & Health

• Mercury Threatens Health, especially Women and Children
• Air and Water Quality
• Preserving Green Space
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Justice

Health and Human Services

• Reproductive Health Care and Family Planning Access
• Emergency Contraception for Victims of Rape and Incest
• Pharmacists Refusal to Provide Birth Control
• Affordable healthcare and Prescription drugs
• Covering the uninsured (children and adult basic coverage)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Systems
• Elder Care and Long-Term Care

Housing

• Expanding Affordable Housing
• Predatory Mortgage Lending
• Community Development
• Homeless Children and Teens

Jobs, Labor and Business

• Child Care
• Corporate Accountability
• Economic Self-Sufficiency Standards - Raising the Minimum Wage
• Equal Pay / Pay Equity
• Job training – career ladders
• Public Transportation