Defining "women's issues"

Women's eNews published an article last Friday compiling a list of issues that women have been paying particular attention to this election. The list was based on reader correspondence, and helps to outline some of the main issues women are interested in hearing more about (Keep in mind that 60% of voters in the 2004 election were women!):

1. Reproductive rights

• Federal insurance for birth control

• Comprehensive sexual education/condoms available at public school infirmaries

• Funds for abstinence-free education

• Federal law guaranteeing a woman's right to choose

2. Cervical cancer prevention

• Federal law requiring the immunization of girls with HPV vaccine

• Funding for HPV vaccine

3. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

• Finally get bill ratified?

• Madison stratey (3 more states) or Maloney (would begin process all over again)

4. CEDAW treaty

• Would eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. Ratified by 180 countries except for the U.S. 

5. Social Security

• Women more dependent on social security because live longer than men

• Prevent privatization of Social Security Trust Fund

• Increase tax cap above $97,500

6. Taxes

• Second-earner bias in tax code injected in 1948 discourages women from employment

7. Welfare Assistance

• Opposition to continuing Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, because of 40-hour work requirement component. A disaster for poor women

• Increase income assistance for women and their dependents

• Increase funding for food stamp program

8. Violence Against Women Act

• Funding cuts proposed by President Bush, by roughly 1/3 in 2009

• Victim assistance grants reduced by 40% since 2006

9. Breast Cancer

• 40,000 women die of breast cancer annually

• Research funds $700 million each year; must be increased

10. Rape

• Every 2 minutes, a sexual assault takes place in America. 1/6 women will be assaulted in her lifetime

• Only 6% of rapists get jail sentence. Need better victims' rights, unbiased police work, consistent prosecution, higher conviction rates, help for survivors

11. Immigration and deportation

• Last year, over 870,000 undocumented immigrants, many of who had children living in the U.S., were deported. Support for immigrant law reforms to stop breaking apart families

• Department of Homeland Security must issue visas to immigrant women who were battered and abused by their spouses

12. Equal pay

• Women earn 77 cents to each man's dollar for equal work

• Support Paycheck Fairness Act, stepping up federal enforcement of equal-pay mandates