ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The FACTS: Nearly one-third of those on welfare in Delaware are women, two-thirds are children. Families of all income levels face work/family challenges, but low-income families have fewer available solutions. National Partnership for Women & Family Matter Equal pay is an urgent concern for millions of working women. Despite their increased responsibilities as economic providers for their families, women still earn approximately $0.74 cents to every dollar earned by men. For African-American women it is $0.63 cents and for Hispanic women, $0.54 cents.

The ACTION: Under the leadership of the late Sally J. Knox in the early "90’s, DCW strongly supported the issue of pay equity for women. In April 1997 the Commission convened a statewide interactive forum, "Welfare Reform: The Impact on Women & Children in Delaware" to which law-makers, policy-makers, advocates (national and local), non-profit agencies and benefit recipients were invited for a dialogue about the challenges of the state’s reform initiative. In May 1998, now clearer about its role in welfare reform, the Commission held focus group meetings to frame the focal point of the second statewide interactive video titled "Welfare Reform: Sharing What We’ve Learned." This forum engaged the parties in constructive dialogue regarding the impact of compliance with reform policies and requirements. The FUTURE: The Commission for Women supports the notion that work must pay, but goes further to believe that it must pay equally and equitably.

Last Updated: Monday, 13-Aug-2007 11:32:07 EDT