The Women’s Initiative develops robust, progressive policies and solutions to ensure all women can participate in the economy and live healthy, productive lives.
A woman introduces her newborn baby to her grandmother, November 2020, in Los Angeles. (Getty/Brandon Bell)
What We're Doing
Advancing a proactive abortion agenda
Abortion rights are under attack. Our proactive agenda provides a road map for state and federal lawmakers to develop and enact policies that ensure equitable, safe access to abortion. In coalition, we will push back against restrictions that impede access to this critical health care service.
Addressing the maternal health crisis
People are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes in the United States than in any other high-income country. Working closely with partners, we develop policy interventions to curb the maternal health crisis, eliminate racial disparities, and advance investments in maternal health care.
Closing the gender wage gap
To address pay disparities, especially for women of color, our comprehensive work advocates for measures such as the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA). The PFA would strengthen equal pay protections, prohibit employer retaliation, and limit employers’ reliance on salary history to make hiring decisions.
Building a stronger economy by prioritizing women
Women are crucial to a thriving economy and families’ economic stability and must be at the heart of any economic recovery. We research solutions that maximize women’s economic participation and respond to competing demands of work and family, such as a national paid family and medical leave program.
The Women’s Initiative works to secure women’s health and bodily autonomy, economic stability, equality, and access to equitable opportunities and uphold other reproductive, civil, and human rights. We firmly believe that the diverse experiences of women across race, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, faith backgrounds, and other factors—and the challenges they face—must be at the center of the national policy debate.
5 Quick Facts To Know About Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills
Approving birth control pills to be sold over the counter could expand access to contraceptive options, increase women’s bodily autonomy, and ensure people can decide when to become pregnant.
5 Important Facts About Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills
Approving oral hormonal contraceptive pills to be sold over the counter could expand access to contraceptive options, increase women’s bodily autonomy, and ensure people can decide when to become pregnant.
Recent Legislative and Executive Acts Represent Promise for Women’s Economic Security
Women and their families should find some current financial pressures—fueled partly by the gender wage gap—alleviated by recent policy wins, particularly if policymakers prioritize implementing new pathways to good jobs for women in the years ahead.
The Wage Gap Persists—But Recent Reforms Are Making a Difference
Rose Khattar and Lauren Hoffman discuss how, in addition to recent reforms such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the student loan relief plan, more measures are necessary to finally close the pay gap that continues to limit economic opportunity for many women.
What You Need to Know About the Bill to Ban Abortion Nationwide
Graham’s proposed national ban would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks nationwide, with only very narrow exceptions—while still allowing states to ban abortion even more strictly.
National Film Premiere: ‘Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote’
Please join CAP's Reel Progress program and Brave New Films for a film screening of "Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote," followed by a discussion with a panel of esteemed experts.
Overturning Roe Will Exacerbate the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis. It’s Time for Our Leaders To Act
The Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective, including CAP's Osub Ahmed, writes about why Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.
Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective, Osub Ahmed
How State Attorneys General Can Protect Abortion Rights
As some states seek to criminalize abortion within their borders, attorneys general can take many actions to ensure access to abortion care in at least some states.
Important takeaways from Kansas’ vote for a constitutional right to abortion
Elyssa Spitzer reacts to Kansas' recent vote to retain its state constitution’s protection of a right to abortion. She discusses why, despite this important victory for women’s health and equality, abortion rights should not be left to the ballot but instead be recognized in the federal constitution as a fundamental right.
