Census Data Show Historic Investments in Social Safety Net Alleviated Poverty in 2020
New poverty, income, and health insurance data confirm that poverty is a policy choice.
Women
The Women’s Initiative at the Center for American Progress focuses on developing and promoting robust, progressive policies and affirmative solutions to ensure that all women can participate fully in our economy and live healthy and productive lives.
We firmly believe that the diverse experiences of women across race, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, and other factors —and the challenges they face—must be at the center of the national policy debate. We work to secure women’s health and bodily autonomy, economic stability, equality, and access to equitable opportunities and uphold other reproductive, civil, and human rights.
Building on the ACA: Administrative Actions to Improve Maternal Health
The United States’ maternal health crisis demands federal and state action to improve coverage, the delivery of care, and pregnancy outcomes. The cost of inaction will almost certainly be dire.
Ensuring Domestic Violence Survivors’ Safety
Community-Based Doulas and Midwives
Breadwinning Mothers Are Critical to Families’ Economic Security
Take Action: Ensure Meaningful Access to Abortion for All
Congress Must Invest in Maternal Health by Passing the Momnibus
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 would help address the maternal health crisis in the United States, which disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous people.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in Texas
In order to advance economic security for women and families in Texas, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in Pennsylvania
In order to advance economic security for women and families in Pennsylvania, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in New Hampshire
In order to advance economic security for women and families in New Hampshire, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in Georgia
In order to advance economic security for women and families in Georgia, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in Florida
In order to advance economic security for women and families in Florida, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in Arizona
In order to advance economic security for women and families in Arizona, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Take Action: Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act
The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that women—especially women of color—are the backbone of our nation’s economy. Women have kept the economy running as essential workers, breadwinners, and caregivers. But at the same time, they are consistently underpaid and their work is undervalued.
A Real Recovery for Women Cannot Happen Without the Build Back Better Agenda
To support women’s employment and address the preexisting barriers that keep women out of the workforce—and were exacerbated by the pandemic—Congress must use reconciliation on top of the bipartisan infrastructure framework.
Fast Facts: Economic Security for Women and Families in West Virginia
In order to advance economic security for women and families in West Virginia, policymakers should prioritize policies that ensure economic equality and health care access for all.
Ensuring Equal Pay for Black Women is Not Just About Work—It’s Also About Family
Policy solutions that address Black women’s work, family, and caregiving needs are essential to creating equitable workplaces that pay fair wages.
These Interconnected Policies Would Sustain Families, Support Women, and Grow the Economy
Together, the policies included in the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda would propel families’ and the country’s economic security by prioritizing child care, the child tax credit, paid family and medical leave, and good jobs that get Americans back to work.
Navigating the Road Ahead in the Fight for Women’s Progress
The Biden-Harris administration took key strides toward gender equity in its first 100 days, but achieving future progress will require an intentional focus on combating systemic barriers, entrenched biases, and a status quo that continues to preserve and perpetuate long-standing disparities.
All Workers Deserve Access to Paid Family and Medical Leave
A paid family and medical leave program must be national, comprehensive, and inclusive to meet the needs of all workers, their families, and the economy.