AAUW’s Public Policy Priorities:
These priorities are adopted every two years by an every-member vote and represent the goals and mission of AAUW to advance equity for women and girls.
The scope of public policy includes legislation, voter registration, voter education, support of non-partisan candidates, candidate forums, and other forms of lobbying, monitoring local boards and establishing community programs without legislation.
AAUW’s 2017-19 Public Policy Priorities summarized:
To support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity, AAUW advocates for:
– Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students
– 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
– 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 and comprehensive sexual health education
– Vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education
– Increased support for and access to affordable higher education for women and disadvantaged populations
– Increased support for programs that break through barriers for women and girls in STEM fields
To achieve economic self-sufficiency for all women, AAUW advocates:
– Pay equity and fairness in compensation and benefits
– Equitable access and advancement in employment, including vigorous enforcement of employment anti-discrimination statutes
– Greater availability of and access to a high standard of benefits and policies that promote work-life balance, including quality and affordable dependent care
– Programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the workforce, including nontraditional occupations and women’s entrepreneurship
– Strengthening programs, including welfare and career and technical education, to improve postsecondary education access, career development, and earning potential
– Strengthening retirement benefits and programs, including pension improvements and protecting Social Security from privatization
To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates:
– Vigorous enforcement of and full access to civil and constitutional rights, including affirmative action and expanding voting rights
– Self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions
– Increased access to quality, affordable health care and family planning services, including expansion of patients’ rights
– Freedom from violence and fear of violence, including hate crimes, in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
– Support for U.N. programs that address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns
– Freedom in the definition of self and family and a guarantee of civil rights for all family structures
– Passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
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