Women's Rights
Summary of Position
Despite the tremendous progress made in the struggle for gender equality, women still face violence, discrimination, and institutional barriers to equal participation in society. Even one hundred years after women's suffrage, the United States has not yet guaranteed equal constitutional rights to women. Women continue to face the impacts of gender discrimination in many areas including pay, workplace protections, social stresses, health care and reproductive rights, education, and others. In Congress, Congressman DeSaulnier is a vocal advocate for women's economic, social, and reproductive rights.
By the Numbers
- On average, women are paid just 80% of what men are paid. For women of color, that gap is even wider.
- The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate among similarly wealthy nations, at 21 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
- Although women make up 49.6% of the world's population, only 30 women serve as heads of state or government in 2022.
- About four-in-ten employed women in the U.S. (38%) say they have been sexually harassed at work.
Things to Know
- 100% lifetime score from Planned Parenthood in supporting and protecting women's health
- Introduced a resolution to designate ‘National Rosie the Riveter Day,' a national day of recognition for the millions of women who supported the war effort on the home front during World War II
- Only man to participate in the Bipartisan Women's Caucus hearing on sexual assault in the military
Working for You
Supporting Women in the Workplace
Congressman DeSaulnier is a proud sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help address the wage gap between women and men working the same jobs by closing the loopholes that allow pay discrimination to continue and providing employees with the rights to challenge and eliminate pay discrimination in the workplace. He is also a sponsor of legislation that will strengthen families such as the Healthy Families Act, which would allow workers to earn up to seven paid sick days per year to recover from short-term illness, care for a sick family member, seek routine medical care, or seek assistance related to domestic violence.
Prioritizing Women's Health
Congressman DeSaulnier is a strong supporter of the Women's Health Protection Act, which blocks medically unnecessary abortion restrictions being pushed forward in state legislatures. He also sponsors the Access to Family Building Act, which protects access to IVF for anyone who needs assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the Right to Contraception Act, which codifies the right to access contraception.
Promoting Equal Rights
Congressman DeSaulnier believes that equal rights for women should be enshrined in our Constitution. To support that effort, he sponsors a resolution that would create a new amendment to the Constitution of the United States to declare equal rights for men and women, and another that would remove the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.
Supporting Women’s Rights around the World
Congressman DeSaulnier is proud to sponsor legislation that uplifts women worldwide. He sponsors the Support UNFPA Funding Act, which authorizes an annual U.S. contribution to the United Nations Population Fund to engage in its critical work to prevent maternal deaths, provide contraceptives and comprehensive family planning services, and end gender-based violence. Additionally, Congressman DeSaulnier has consistently advocates for funding for the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund, which equips women and girls worldwide with recourses to advance global gender equity
For a downloadable copy of Mark's work on women's issues, click here.
