Charting the Course for Change A 2015 Report on the Status of Women in South Carolina John W. Zinsser, Speakers Bureau Volunteer Ali Titus, Awareness and Advocacy Manager
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT Women s challenges are challenges for our state s economy. We are a state that can do better. Our struggle is about creating sustainable lives, and attainable dreams. ~BELLA ABZUG (19201998)
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Our Report Partners Thank you to our Task Force of Volunteers! Thank you to report presentation sponsor:
IT S
Four Key Indicator Areas Leadership Health and Safety Education Economic Security
Status of Women In our state women are under-represented in elected office and in top-level management. While the national averages of representation are not optimal, SC is profoundly lacking women in leadership positions.
Objective: Women in Management and Elected Leadership.
Action: Increase number of women running for office and those on boards/in management 30% of Women on Boards Diversity in Management = growth, equity, return on capital.
Status of Women South Carolina s current legal atmosphere is noxious to women s health and safety. Access to health care is lagging and violence against women leads to lost work days/wages, court and legal fees, significant emotional and behavioral effects on children, and acute and chronic health issues for women.
Objective: Improve maternal and newborn health.
Action: Reduce Domestic Violence in our state. GOvernor s Task Force I nitiatives 1. SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2. REPORTING AND SCREENING 3. EMERGENCY HOUSING 4. DATING VIOLENCE SC RANKS #1 IN WOMEN BEING MURDERE D BY MEN
Action: Reduce Domestic Violence in our state.
Action: Create access to healthcare. Medicaid Expansion 9700 received cervical cancer screening 6500 received a mammogram 2010 Publicly Funded Healthcare: 320,000 needed 29% received Saved state $202 million Prenatal care Birth Control Cervical Cancer Prevention
Status of Women Despite the success that women have in attaining high levels of education, there is not correlation to success in high level careers and financial security. Significant gaps continue to exist.
Action: Promote Apprenticeships.
Status of Women In order for women to achieve success and have the greatest opportunities, we must look at developing economic security from a holistic approach. Encouraging interest in and providing access to high-wage, high-demand jobs and expecting equal pay for equal work are two ways to increase economic outcomes for the whole state.
Objective: Address Wage Gap
When we look at gap based on ethnicity, it is worse.
Action: Remove barriers that perpetuate poverty We rank 40th in childcare. ACTION: Enacting Predatory Lending Legislations helps protect those in poverty.
Equality for men and women helps everyon e in the workplac e. Daniel Murphy
THE GOOD NEWS We are one of 5 states to currently have a female Governor. We have private companies that have enacted benefits for nursing mothers, family leave and paid maternity/paternity leave. We have passed legislation on domestic violence step one. South Carolina is no longer #1 in the US for domestic violence.
THE GOOD NEWS We have published our FIRST report and YOU are here to learn about it!
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Mentor women in/into elected/professional leadership. Do an intercompany audit: Check your HR policies with regard to promotions and compensation packages? Are you transparent about equal/fair pay? Is your board diverse and inclusive? Do you know elected leaders you could talk to about domestic violence shelters or banning predatory lending? Do you or could you offer apprenticeship opportunities where you work? Are you supporting a diverse and inclusive culture?
HOW CAN YOU DO IT? 1. Spread the word: share what you ve learned with your networks. 2. Connect for change: Center for Women is grateful for any opportunity to bring this message to groups and community leaders across SC. 3. Commit to taking action: let us help you guide change in your community.
QUESTIONS? Email ali@c4women.org www.c4women.org What ONE way will you help make change happen in our community or state?