Inclusive Growth

Women’s Initiative

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 develops robust, progressive policies and solutions to ensure all women can participate in the economy and live healthy, productive lives.

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Featured work

Photo shows four signs hanging on a fence in front of the Supreme Court building. The signs read

Sign Our Letter: Ensure Meaningful Abortion Access for All

As anti-abortion state legislators attack access to abortion, we must expand and strengthen reproductive health and family planning protections in states where abortion is legal.

About us

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.

Latest

State Laws on Abortion Article
Photo shows protestors holding a bright-pink signs that reads

State Laws on Abortion

This primer provides resources and information on harmful and protective abortion legislation, as well as other laws restricting reproductive rights, advancing across the states.

Fact Sheet: Advancing Contraceptive Access in the States Through Quality Measures and Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling Fact Sheet
Artwork depicting contraceptive pills is seen behind a woman waiting at a family planning center.

Fact Sheet: Advancing Contraceptive Access in the States Through Quality Measures and Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling

This fact sheet accompanies a new Center for American Progress report on best practices to expand and improve access to contraception at the state level, covering common implementation challenges and offering recommendations for implementing contraceptive quality measures.

Kierra B. Jones

Fact Sheet: Challenges and Solutions to Improve Access to Contraception Through Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers and SPAs Fact Sheet
A woman has her vitals checked at a family planning center.

Fact Sheet: Challenges and Solutions to Improve Access to Contraception Through Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers and SPAs

This fact sheet accompanies a new Center for American Progress report on best practices to expand and improve access to contraception at the state level, covering common implementation challenges and offering recommendations to states pursuing family planning expansions through Section 1115 Medicaid waivers and state plan amendments (SPAs).

Kierra B. Jones

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