AAUW California’s Public Policy Priorities (PPP), which are member-driven and approved, inform our legislative and other forms of activism. Consistent with our organizational value of achieving fair and equitable opportunities for all in our diverse society, and our mission to advance equity for women and girls specifically, we advocate for policies that promote, enhance, and ensure security, justice, access, and representation in four specific priority areas, as listed. As such, AAUW California advocates for policies that promote, enhance, and ensure:
Economic Security for All Women, including:
- Equity in the workplace
- Enforcement of workplace anti-discrimination statutes
- Security in retirement
- Access to job training for career development
- Work-life balance, including access to quality affordable childcare and paid sick and caregiving leave
Equal Access to Quality Public Education for All Students, including:
- Vigorous enforcement of Title IX provisions which protect against discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational programs or activities
- Adequate and equitable funding at all educational levels, including pre-school and post-secondary
- Increased support for and protection of STEM programs for girls and women
- Civics instruction in all California high schools
- Access to diverse staff and to curriculum that represents historically accurate information
- Funding adequate to support a strong infrastructure, and equitable access to resources, including technology
- Opposition to diversion of public funds to nonpublic elementary and secondary schools and charter schools that do not meet public school civil rights and accountability standards
Social and Racial Justice for All Members of Society, including:
- Self-determination in reproductive health
- Equal access to quality affordable housing, a healthy environment, and health care, including gender affirming care
- Freedom from violence in all its forms and wherever it occurs, including violence against historically marginalized groups, and support for policies that reduce or prevent gun violence
- Guarantee of civil and constitutional rights for all, including all forms of gender identity and expression, and all family structures; support for efforts to resist anti-immigrant policies which infringe on those rights, including protection of students from privacy violations and immigration raids on campus
- Protection and expansion of voting rights
- Support for United Nations sustainable development goals which address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns
Increased Representation of Women in Leadership Roles, including:
- Proportional appointment to publicly held corporate boards
- Access to leadership skills training
- Access to programs that promote participation in public service careers