CONTACT: Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office) 608-620-3884 (cell)
Legislator urges women to #BeBoldForChange to work for gender equity
MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) joins women and allies from around the world in recognizing International Women’s Day. The theme for the 2017 International Women’s Day is “#BeBoldForChange,”
“#BeBoldForChange is exactly what we need to do,” Rep. Subeck stated. “International Women’s Day is a day on which we ought to be able to celebrate the achievements of women and a worldwide commitment to achieving gender equality. Instead, women’s achievements are too often overlooked or ignored, and for every step or two we take forward toward gender equity, we take a step or two back.”
In a 2014 study, the World Economic Forum estimated that global gender parity would be reached in 2095. Their updated estimate in 2015, based on a slowdown in progress toward equity, predicts that the gender gap will not close until the year 2133. Their 2016 estimate now predicts the gender gap will not close until 2186. The United States ranks just 45th in gender equity among 144 countries ranked by the World Economic Forum on measures of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
“The problem of gender inequity is not only recognized nationally and internationally, but it also hits home right here in Wisconsin,” said Representative Subeck. “Women in Wisconsin earn just 78 cents on the dollar relative to their male counterparts; lack universal paid family leave and sick leave; make up only 25% of our State Legislature; and have seen diminished access to reproductive health care since Republicans gained the majority 6 years ago. I have joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation to provide equal pay, protect access to reproductive health care for women and pass redistricting reforms which would provide gender equality advocates a fair shot at being elected to the legislature. ”
“We absolutely need to be #BeBoldForChange. If we do not take steps right now, then it will be at least 169 years before we achieve gender equity,” said Rep. Subeck. Join me and #BeBoldForChange by committing to take action every day as leaders in our schools, workplaces, families, organizations, and communities to end gender bias and to accelerate gender parity.”