AAUW California Public Policy Priorities
What We Believe
The work of the AAUW California State Public Policy Committee is guided by our Mission Statement and by the four Public Policy Priorities.
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The AAUW California Public Policy Program establishes policy directives that will guide our members, inform our legislative priorities, serve our mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, and are consistent with our values of achieving fair and equitable opportunities for our diverse society. Toward that end, AAUW California advocates policies that promote, enhance and ensure:
- 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 care-giving leave
| What We Advocate | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Equity in the workplace | Support legislation that increases equity for women – Leg Ad, Lobby Days Publish research materials on the Gender Pay Gap to raise awareness Provide programs that educate women regarding their rights in the workplace: 1) StartSmart, 2) WorkSmart |
| Enforcement of workplace anti-discrimination statutes | Support legislation that eliminates discrimination Support legislation that increases accountability |
| Security in retirement | Support related legislation |
| Access to job training for career development | Support legislation that ensures women have the same access as men |
| Work-life balance, including access to quality affordable childcare and paid sick and caregiving leave | Support related legislation |
- Vigorous enforcement of Title IX
- Adequate and equitable funding at all educational levels, including pre-school and post-secondary
- Removal of barriers for girls to access instruction in STEM fields
- Civics instruction in all CA high schools
- Access to diverse staff and curriculum that represents historically accurate information
- Funding adequate to support a strong infrastructure, and equitable access to resources, including technology
- Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic and charter schools that do not meet public school civil rights and accountability standards
| What We Advocate | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Vigorous enforcement of Title IX | Support legislation that strengthens enforcement Weigh in on proposed changes Provide support to plaintiffs alleging violations (National Legal Advocacy Fund) |
| Adequate and equitable funding at all educational levels, including pre-school and post-secondary | Support legislation that increases equal access Support Student Debt Relief legislation Publish educational materials on Student Debt |
| Removal of barriers for girls to access instruction in STEM fields | Support legislation that removes barriers Tech Trek |
| Civics instruction in all CA high schools | Support legislation addressing this |
| Access to diverse staff and curriculum that represents historically accurate information | Oppose legislation and policies that support book banning and/or curriculum censorship School Board Project: 1) Recruit and support anti-censorship candidates for School Boards, 2) Members attend SB meetings, monitor and report to state committee |
| Funding adequate to support a strong infrastructure, and equitable access to resources, including technology | Support legislation/policies that provide increased funding for all schools for this purpose Support legislation increasing broadband access, particularly in rural areas, and ensures all students have computers |
| Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic and charter schools that do not meet public school civil rights and accountability standards. | Monitor legislation addressing this issue, support or oppose as is pertinent |
- Self-determination in reproductive health
- Equal access to quality affordable health care, housing and a healthy environment
- 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
- Protection and expansion of voting rights
- Support for United Nations sustainable development goals which address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns
| What We Advocate | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Self-determination in reproductive health | Support pro-choice legislation/policies Member state Abortion Council Campaigned for Prop 1 |
| Equal access to quality affordable health care, housing and a healthy environment | Support/oppose related legislation |
| Freedom from violence in all its forms and against historically marginalized groups, and support for policies that reduce or prevent gun violence | Public statement condemning racial violence by law enforcement against Blacks Support for domestic violence related legislation Support for gun-violence prevention legislation |
| Guarantee of civil and constitutional rights for all, including all forms of gender identity and expression, and all family structures | Support/oppose LGBTQ+-related legislation Oppose education policies harmful to LGBTQ+ students |
| Protection and expansion of voting rights | Actively engaged in GOTV activities Support/oppose related legislation |
| Support for United nations sustainable development goals which address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns | 17 Goals to Transform Our World |
- Proportional appointment to publicly-held corporate boards
- Access to leadership skills training
- Access to programs that promote participation in public service careers
| What We Advocate | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Proportional appointment to publicly held corporate boards | Support legislation |
| Access to leadership skills training | NCCWSL (National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) |
| Access to programs that promote participation in public service careers | GovTrek |