NEW POLICY AGENDA COVERS 14 CRITICAL ISSUES TO DEFEND WOMEN'S PROGRESS

For decades, bipartisan federal policies have upheld equal opportunity, but as Trump's executive orders seek to reverse decades of progress on racial and gender equity, IWPR is doubling down on its commitment to economic justice for all women.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) proudly launched its first-ever Federal Policy Solutions to Advance Gender Equity agenda today. This bold blueprint presents actionable recommendations to improve women's lives and a clear roadmap for policymakers and advocates striving for meaningful, lasting change. Released as the Trump administration begins rolling out policies that directly attack gender equity, racial justice, and human rights, IWPR's agenda tackles the systemic inequities that threaten women's health and financial security.

"I'm sure many people are asking, 'Why release this agenda now?'" said Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, president and CEO of IWPR. "The simple answer is good policy is good policy. This isn't about waiting for the right political moment or hoping for the 'perfect' leadership. It's about rolling up our sleeves and fighting for what's right, no matter the political tides. The time for action is always now, and even as we fight against regressive policies, we also must continue to build momentum toward policies that will strengthen our nation—especially when so much is at stake for women and families."

As a leading research think tank for gender equity, IWPR is unwavering in its mission to drive systemic change. Through compelling, evidence-based research that examines the intersection of gender and racial justice, IWPR actively challenges threats to progress, debunks harmful misinformation, and raises public awareness of the urgent need for reform. The Institute's 14-issue agenda prioritizes four core areas that demand immediate attention:

• Reproductive Justice and Health Equity

• • Promoting Access to Abortion
  • Maternal Health
  • Reproductive Health Care Across the Lifespan 

• Caregiving and Families

• • Tax Credits for Families
  • Paid Leave
  • Promoting Access to Care

• Equitable Work and Wages 

• • Equal Pay
  • Minimum Wage
  • Better Workplaces
  • Retirement and Social Security

• Education and Career Advancement

• • College Affordability
  • Supporting Student Parents
  • Promoting Equitable Learning Environments on Campuses
  • Increasing Pathways to Good Jobs

The agenda includes specific recommendations on paid family leave, closing the gender wage gap, safeguarding reproductive rights, and creating pathways to higher-paying jobs. It also emphasizes the need for intersectional policies that address the unique challenges faced by women of color, working mothers, and student parents. Through these solutions, IWPR aims to spark a productive dialogue on gender equity that transcends political divisions.

Amidst an increasingly polarized political landscape, IWPR's Federal Policy Solutions to Advance Gender Equity agenda offers a hopeful way forward —one rooted in bipartisan collaboration and action. The agenda calls on lawmakers, advocates, and communities to unite around policies that are not only essential but also achievable.

"This agenda is not just a reaction to the present; it's a long-term tool that we will use over the next four years to evaluate progress and hold policymakers accountable," said Dr. Taylor. "Though the road ahead is challenging, the possibility for change is still within our grasp."

For more information on the Federal Policy Solutions to Advance Gender Equity agenda and IWPR's ongoing work to promote women's economic equity, please visit IWPR.org.

The Institute for Women's Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women's power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.

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SOURCE Institute For Women's Policy Research