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Join AAUW in urging Congress to improve and expand legislation protecting our civil rights, economic security, and access to education.
WORKPLACE & ECONOMIC EQUITY
Build a Tomorrow that Better Serves Families
As women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the ongoing crises harming our country, they need bold measures now. Americans need access to good jobs, affordable health care, high quality child care and educational opportunities that prepare them for tomorrow’s jobs. We must move towards a secure tomorrow.
Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act
The gender pay gap is persistent and can only be addressed if women have the tools they need to challenge discrimination and employers have the incentives they need to comply with the law. It’s time for Congress to make real change for all families by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Pass the FAMILY Act
Unlike the majority of developed countries worldwide, the United States does not guarantee paid annual leave, paid time off for illness or family care, or paid parental leave. And for many Americans, this unpaid time off work is untenable and it threatens their economic security. That’s why AAUW is calling for passage of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would create a national self-funding paid family and medical leave insurance program.
Raise the Federal Minimum Wage
Raising the minimum wage is an important part of ensuring women’s economic security and that of their families. Women make up nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers nationwide, and women of color in particular are over-represented among tipped workers and other low-wage workers. The country supports higher wages — urge your members of Congress to fight for working women.
End Pregnancy Discrimination
With so many on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis, pregnant workers need protection now. That’s why the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is so important — it would require employers to make reasonable accommodations to protect the health of pregnant workers, such as letting them carry bottles of water or take restroom breaks.
Pass the BE HEARD Act
The far-reaching effects of workplace harassment cannot be overstated, as this pervasive problem often impacts an employee’s pay, advancement and well-being. The Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act would build on existing civil rights laws to provide new protections against harassment.
Support the EMPOWER Act
When workers face harassment, it impacts their success in the workplace, and ultimately, their economic security. The Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting (EMPOWER) Act would make it easier and safer for people to speak out when they experience workplace harassment and make it harder for employers to avoid accountability.
Support the Healthy Families Act
Too many American workers are forced to face the choice between a job and their health or the health of a loved one every time they get sick or a family member needs care. That’s because at least 34 million private-sector workers — nearly one-third of the workforce — don’t have access to paid sick days.
EDUCATION
Share Your Title IX Story
Title IX is essential to ensuring that our schools are free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. We must speak out against any attacks on Title IX that attempt to diminish these protections — and one of the most powerful ways to do so is by telling our personal stories. How has Title IX impacted your life? Speak up for Title IX’s importance to equity in education by sharing your story.
End the Student Debt Crisis
Women hold two-thirds ($929 billion) of the country’s $1.46 trillion student debt. As a nation, we rely on women to add to and strengthen our economy. That can’t happen under mountains of student debt. Ask your members of Congress to support legislation that would make college more affordable for all students and help millions of borrowers across the country pay off their student debt.
Support the Gender Equity in Education Act
In the 47 years since its enactment, Title IX has opened doors for girls and women from classrooms to playing fields. But despite tremendous progress, challenges to equity in education still exist. That’s why we need the Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) to ensure schools and educational institutions have the resources they need to comply with civil rights law.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Support the For the People Act
Our democracy works when Americans of all races, backgrounds, genders and zip codes can fully and equitably participate. We want a transparent process that ensures every voice is heard and every vote is counted. We believe in the right of voters to pick their leaders. Leaders do not pick their voters.
Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act
Our democracy works when everyone can fully participate. Elected officials routinely make decisions about issues that directly impact all of us. From our paychecks to paid leave, access to reproductive health care to access to education, our lives are on the line — and our vote is our voice.
Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
The majority of Americans mistakenly believe that women and men are guaranteed equal rights under the U.S. Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) would, once and for all, guarantee constitutional equality between men and women. Its ratification would provide the constitutional guarantee that all men and women are truly equal under the law and that these rights cannot easily be abridged.
Pass the Equality Act
All people should have equal rights. America’s civil rights laws should reflect that promise and protect everyone. That’s why it’s critical that Congress pass the Equality Act, which would amend existing federal civil rights laws to provide explicit protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in a number of key areas.
Fight the Attacks on Reproductive Rights
AAUW trusts that every woman has the ability to make her own informed choices regarding her reproductive life within the dictates of her own moral and religious beliefs. Tell your members of Congress to oppose any efforts to restrict women’s access to reproductive health care.
Support Immigrant Youth
AAUW understands the impact that education has on the lives of students and on the nation’s overall prosperity and strength. The DACA program has opened the doors of opportunity for thousands, developing a skilled workforce prepared to compete in the global economy. Our commitment to increasing opportunities in education for all women and girls stands firm.