AAUW’s policy work connects and rallies advocates at the local, state, national, and global levels to empower women and girls. AAUW uses lobbying and grassroots efforts to push forward policies that break through educational and economic barriers for women. Below we highlight our positions and advocacy on major issues.
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Pay equity. Paid family leave. Title IX. Lowering student debt. Stopping sexual harassment. Get involved. By changing policies we can improve gender equity.
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Where We Stand: Economic Security
AAUW advocates for all women to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Equal Pay
To achieve economic security for all women, AAUW advocates pay equity and fairness in compensation and benefits. Download the Quick Facts
Paycheck Fairness Act
AAUW supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act to give women the tools they need to successfully challenge pay discrimination and to provide incentives to employers to comply with the law. Download the Quick Facts
Retirement Security
To achieve economic security for all women, AAUW advocates strengthening retirement benefits and programs, including pension improvements and protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from privatization. Download the Quick Facts
Paid Leave
AAUW works toward greater availability of and access to a high standard of benefits and policies that promote work-life balance, including quality and affordable dependent care and paid family, medical and sick leave. Download the Quick Facts
Workplace Harassment
To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society, AAUW advocates freedom from violence and fear of violence, including hate crimes, in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Download the Quick Facts
Health Care
AAUW advocates for universal access to quality, affordable health care, including insurance, and comprehensive family planning services. Download the Quick Facts
Letters, Comments, Testimony and Legal Briefs
To learn more about AAUW’s positions and advocacy efforts regarding economic security, explore our letters, comments, testimony and legal briefs.
Where We Stand: Education & Title IX
AAUW supports a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity, including vigorous enforcement of Title IX.
Student Debt
AAUW advocates increased support for and access to affordable higher education for women, including alleviating the debt burden that disproportionately impacts borrowers of color and exacerbates the racial wealth gap. Download the Quick Facts
School Vouchers
AAUW advocates opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary education and to charter schools that do not adhere to the same civil rights and accountability standards as required of other public schools. Download the Quick Facts
STEM Education
AAUW advocates increased support for and protection of programs that meet the needs of girls and women in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, including strong promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Download the Quick Facts
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in School
AAUW advocates equitable access to education and climates free of harassment, bullying, and sexual assault. Download the Quick Facts
Title IX
AAUW supports the strengthening and vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education. Download the Quick Facts
Letters, Comments, Testimony and Legal Briefs
To learn more about AAUW’s positions and advocacy efforts regarding education and Title IX, explore our letters, comments, testimony and legal briefs.
Where We Stand: Civil Rights
AAUW advocates for equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society.
Voting Rights
AAUW is committed to open and fair elections that are broadly accessible to all voters, nonpartisan voter education efforts that will promote equitable political participation and representation in appointed and elected office, and expanding voting rights. Download the Quick Facts
Equal Rights Amendment
To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society, AAUW advocates the passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Download the Quick Facts
Human Trafficking
AAUW believes that global interdependence requires national and international policies against human trafficking and that promote peace, justice, human rights, sustainable development, and mutual security for all people. Download the Quick Facts
Reproductive Rights
AAUW supports choice in the determination of one’s reproductive life and increased access to health care and family planning services. Download the Quick Facts
LGBTQ+ Rights
AAUW advocates freedom in definition of self and family, including protection from discrimination and a guarantee of civil rights for all family structures, and vigorous enforcement of and full access to civil and constitutional rights. Download the Quick Facts
Letters, Comments, Testimony and Legal Briefs
To learn more about AAUW’s positions and advocacy efforts regarding civil rights, explore our letters, comments, testimony and legal briefs.
Take Action
Nationally
Join us in pushing for federal policies to advance gender equity. We support strong laws to close the wage gap, provide paid sick time and parental leave, protect pregnant workers, curtail sexual harassment and more.
Ohio Statehouse
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In Your State
Around the country, AAUW activists are helping to advance legislation to protect women and ensure economic security for them and their families.
Take Action
There are lots of ways to get involved with AAUW’s work to advance gender equity. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women and girls.