What Women Want: Recap and Recording
A conversation with Dr. C. Nicole Mason President & CEO, Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) about key issues women have identified as post-pandemic priorities.
On Wednesday, June 16, Dr. Mason discussed post-pandemic policy priorities for women from her recent report, Building the Future: Bold Policies for a Gender Equitable Recovery.
In a wide-ranging interview with Keisha Blake Harp of the Women's Business Enterprise Council Metro New York, Mason also shared her personal journey as the child of a single mother, her own challenges with juggling work and parenting during COVID-19 and her recently published memoir, Born Bright.
Following the Interview, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven President and CEO Will Ginsberg shared The Community Fund for Women and Girls recent work with statewide partners to analyze and report on the impact of COVID-19 on women in Connecticut, and affirmed The Foundation's commitment to advancing both gender and racial equity.
What We Heard
- Women were already struggling before the pandemic and most affected by the economic downturn due to caretaking demands or an inability to find work.
- Black and Latina women have been disproportionately affected by job losses. In April 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the unemployment rate for Black and Latina women was 16.4 percent and 20.2 percent, respectively.
- There is a disconnect between what women say they want and need in terms of childcare support and what is happening at the federal level.
- The federal pandemic response focused on businesses while mothers left the workforce because schools and daycares closed.
- The country needs transformative and sustained investments in childcare and living wages.
- The Biden administration is taking these issues seriously with the American Families Plan.
- This is a once in a generation opportunity to create a more equitable economy.
What We Can Do
- Keep applying the pressure to elected representatives. This will not be the last pandemic or economic downturn.
- Not all action is federal. Involvement at local and state levels are critically important.
- Involve more men in the fight for women's issues.
- Give locally to an organization that lifts up and empowers women.
- Give to or follow The Community Fund for Women and Girls.
Resources for You
- Building the Future: Bold Policies for a Gender Equitable Recovery.
- IWPR Women's Priorities and Economic Impact Survey
- The American Families Plan
- Essential Equity: Women, COVID-19 and Rebuilding CT
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