Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) re-introduced the Support UNFPA Funding Act, which reaffirms the United States’ commitment to the United Nations Population Fund and gender equality around the world and authorizes an annual contribution to the UNFPA for five years when passed. With commitments from the Biden administration and previous bipartisan support from Senators Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Collins (R-Maine), not only can the act pass the House of Representatives—it is likely to have a companion bill pass the Senate as well.
Author: Maura Reilly
Maura is RepresentWomen’s outreach and communications coordinator from Washington, D.C. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2019 with an honors degree in social anthropology. To hear more from Maura follow her on Twitter, @further_maura.
Black Women Making History: Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation
compilation of stories about women’s representation.
This week: the New York City mayoral primary; what makes a candidate “likable”?; increasing the number of women governors; breaking down that 40 percent gender quota in Ireland; Kristen Clarke and Simone Biles make history; and more.
Women’s Representation: Equal Representation Achieved! No More Action Needed
I’m sure you all saw the amazing headline in the Washington Post about how women’s equality and domination has been achieved.
(Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector in the U.S. and around the world—with a little gardening and goodwill mixed in for refreshment!)
The For the People Act is a Crucial Step Towards Full Enfranchisement
The For the People Act, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, will be the most expansive voting and civil rights legislation in a generation and is already the most consequential anti-corruption bill brought to the floor of the U.S. House.
Leading the Way: How the U.S. Government Can Normalize Women in Leadership Roles
The dearth of women in political leadership positions, is not so much a problem with the pipeline, but a problem with promoting, hiring and nominating women to leadership positions at the same rates as men.
Fortunately it is a problem which can in large part be corrected by our already elected officials.
Yes, Women Win—But They Face More Barriers Doing So
Despite record-breaking election cycles the U.S. remains continually outpaced by 70+ countries including the majority of our democratic allies—allies which don’t have better women running, but better systems for women to run in.
Recruit and Fund More Women: It’s a Home Run Strategy
Political gatekeepers including political parties, PACs, individual donors and recruitment organizations all have a role to play in improving the rate at which women run for office. Here’s where to start.
Will 2021 be Defined by Voting Rights and Electoral Reform?
With 2020 being largely defined by the crises which continue to wrack our democracy, many democratic reformers hope 2021 will be defined by the actions we take to address and correct the pitfalls of our electoral system.
It’s Not Enough to Just Break Records in the 117th Congress
Despite historic numbers of women elected to the 117th Congress, the U.S. continues to fall far short of gender balance.
Money Talks: It is Time to Pay for Parity
Financial sanctions and incentives to enforce gender quotas have been gaining popularity both in politics and business over the last decade.
But in the U.S., despite decades of demanding a seat at the table, women make up less than 30 percent of all elected officials. Political parties and our government have a role to play in improving women’s political representation up and down the ballot; and, it is time they start using their money to make it happen.