The Big Five

February 8, 2010 posted by admin

The Obama Administration has made ending violence against women a national and global priority by supporting tougher anti-violence laws and appointing senior level officials for gender issues. Now is the time to get the facts on violence against women. Download NCRW’s newest fact sheet: Ending Violence Against Women–An Imperative for a Healthy Nation. The fact sheet includes information on violent crime, intimate partner/domestic violence, stalking, workplace violence, and much more. For instance, did you know that nearly half of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors lose their jobs as a result?

February 5, 2010 posted by Kyla Bender-Baird

Calling all data geeks! The Bureau of Labor Statistics has made some really exciting changes to its monthly employment situation releases. We now have greater insight into women’s employment situation thanks to greater gender disaggregation of employment data. BLS has also added stats for persons with a disability, veterans, and foreign born workers.

Last month, I could only tell you women’s unemployment rate and break that down by race. This month, I have SO much more to report. For instance,

• Women with a disability have a higher unemployment rate than women with no disability: 14.3% compared to 8.4%.
• Foreign born women have an unemployment rate of 10.6% compared to 8.2% for native born women.
• Single women with children have an unemployment rate of 12.3% compared to 5.8% for married women.
• Women veterans experience higher unemployment rates than veteran men. In January 2010, the unemployment rate for women veterans was 11.2% compared to 9.4% for veteran men. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for women veterans has risen faster in the past year. From January 2009 to January 2010, veteran men’s unemployment rose from 7.5% to 9.4% while women veteran’s rate rose from 6.6% to 11.2%.
• Women are slightly more likely to hold multiple jobs than men. 5.4% of employed women hold multiple jobs compared to 4.5% of employed men.

As a believer that research is key to social change, these changes excite me to no end! If we have a greater understanding of where women stand, we can craft solutions that truly make a difference. Without good research, we are operating in the dark.

February 4, 2010 posted by admin

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced into the House and Senate today. Ritu Sharma of Women Thrive writes,

The bill comprehensively addresses, for the first time, violence against women and girls through all relevant U.S. foreign policy efforts, including its international assistance programs. It would support local efforts in up to 20 countries, supporting emergency assistance like shelters, public awareness and health campaigns; education, training and economic empowerment programs for women, as well as legal reforms. It also makes the issue a diplomatic priority for the first time, asking the U.S. to respond within three months to horrific acts of violence against women and girls committed during conflict and war, for example, the rape and abuse of millions over the last several years in the Congo.

Click here to read the rest of Ritu’s commentary. To learn more about I-VAWA, download NCRW’s Fact Sheet.

And don’t forget to Save the Date! NCRW is partnering with the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM to bring you a conference on ending violence against women, Security, the Economy and Education: Making the Connections to End Violence Against Women—A Plan for Action. It’ll be June 11 and 12 at Hunter College, NYC. You don’t want to miss it!

February 3, 2010 posted by admin

Today we learned about this newly launched national initiative that “seeks to educate and build the self-esteem of middle school girls to increase their knowledge of the political process and encourage future political involvement.” It’s called Girls Rock the House:

Girls Rock the House features a six-week curriculum that inspires girls to envision their role in the political process.  The program is available to 8th grade girls within congressional districts represented by female congress members. 

The curriculum will consist of both lectures and interactive participation once a week.  Along the way they will make friends, learn new skills, and build their confidence. Through both small lessons (how to shake hands properly) and large (how to write a congressional bill), girls will grow to believe in themselves and their ability to impact the greater good of their community. 

At the culmination of the curriculum, each girl will present their bill to their group. The winner will present her bill at her district level in hopes of being selected to represent her community in a 2½ day program in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the program, visit their website. And don’t forget to pass this along to any girls you know who’d like to apply!

February 2, 2010 posted by admin

Friday was the one year anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Check out what Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis had to say:

The wage gap has significant consequences to the economic security of women and families.  Today, families are increasingly dependent on women’s wages.  In married couple families, wives’ earnings account for 36 percent of family income, and approximately 2 million women have now become the sole breadwinner, supporting families with just over one-third of the usual family income.

Read her entire statement here.