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 - Today, Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement after Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the Democratic Members who will serve on the partisan Committee to Attack Women’s Health, including that Representative Schakowsky will serve as Ranking Member on the Committee:
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), released the following statement after sending a letter to Rep.

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 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.
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:
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.
