Women's Issues
By protecting women, we protect families. As a former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I have long fought to protect the rights of women, including full and equal economic opportunity through equitable pay and employment opportunities. In 6 in 10 families, a mother is the primary or co-breadwinner. The persistent gaps in wages and opportunities for women have limited the resources available for families to purchase homes, save for college, and save for retirements. I am dedicated to working to prevent violence against women and establish transitional housing for women and children who are victims of abuse. As a leading member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I have also fought for reproductive freedom.
More on Women's Issues
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), released the following statement after sending a letter to Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03), Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, urging him to launch an investigation into how video footage provided to the committee in response to a subpoena by the Center for Medical Progress was illegally leaked to the news agency GotNews.com:
CHICAGO – Today is Women’s Equality Day, a time to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees that women have the right to vote in the United States. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement:
“I join many across the country today in celebrating Women’s Equality Day. Ninety-five years ago, advocacy from a dedicated group of women and like-minded men led to the 19th Amendment – ensuring that women in the United States have the right to vote.
I joined Leader Pelosi, House Democratic women and women from across the country to discuss our Women’s Economic Agenda, from higher pay and an end to the gender gap to a robust Older Americans Act reauthorization. Our mission is not just possible but essential because when Women Succeed, America succeeds! Below I have included my remarks from this week's press event rolling out the agenda and the full description of the agenda.
Remarks on the Women's Economic Agenda, focusing on the pillar of Retirement Security
This Equal Pay Day it is time to take decisive action to close the wage gap that still exists between women and men. Why is Equal Pay Day marked every April? Because currently a woman has to work a year and three months into the next year just to earn what a man earns in one year.
CHICAGO– Representative Jan Schakowsky has joined with Senator Barbara Boxer in re-introducing House and Senate versions of the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) of 2015. This legislation received wide bipartisan support in the 113th Congress, attracting 117 cosponsors in the House and 30 in the Senate. This year, the bill was introduced with 9 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
CHICAGO – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in recognition of International Women’s Day:
CHICAGO – On Friday, Jane Byrne, the first and to-date only woman to serve as Mayor of the City of Chicago, passed away. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in honor of Byrne’s leadership and legacy:
CHICAGO – Saturday marked 20 years since President Bill Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) into law on September 13, 1994. The landmark legislation creates critical protections for victims of domestic violence and dramatically strengthens the nation’s criminal justice response to violence against women. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement about the anniversary:
“The Violence Against Women Act has been absolutely vital in saving the lives of women and their families. We must continue to strengthen our response to these crimes and deepen our commitment to all survivors. Here are some of the critical impacts VAWA has made so far:
Washington, D.C. – As we mark Equal Pay Day, Rep. Jan Schakowsky said we must take action to close the wage gap that still exists between women and men. Why is Equal Pay Day marked every April? Because a woman has to work a year, plus three months into the next year, just to earn what a man earns in one year. That is not right. To fix this it is critical to pass Paycheck Fairness Act, which gives protections to employees and enforces standard for employers.
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of victims of domestic violence and in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For far too long, domestic violence victims have been ignored, afraid to speak up, and scared of being stigmatized. Battered immigrant women have been particularly vulnerable to domestic violence due to their temporary immigration status or lack of status. These women often suffer in silence because they fear threats of deportation, fear being separated from their children, and are afraid to come out of the shadows.