Commission Policy Pillars 

The COVID-19 pandemic brings into sharp focus how the impacts of crises disproportionately affect women and particularly women of color. Working with advocates, the state Legislature , state agencies and businesses, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is championing a policy agenda that increases women’s and girls economic security, improves their the health and wellness and ensures their well-being  is seen through an equitable and intersectional lens.

The Commission pillar of Economic Security helps women return to the workforce with protections and flexibilities that lifts women and girls out of poverty and creates a robust care infrastructure. This includes:

• High-quality, affordable child care 
• Comprehensive paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave 
• Pay equity 
• Strong Safety Net 
• Flexible workplace policies and fair scheduling requirement

The pandemic has further entrenched the health and safety inequalities faced by women, especially women of color. The Commission is working towards ensuring women and girls are able to live happier, longer, and healthier lives by addressing the growing disparities in health equity and safety.

• Accessibility, Availability, Affordability to Care and Preventative Care
• Menstrual Equity
• Reproductive Health and Justice 
• Mental and Behavioral Health 
• Access to contraception 
• Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 

Gender equality and racial equality are inseparable. To achieve one, we must achieve both. As we advance our mission of improving the lives of women and girls, we adopt and support intersectional, equitable measures that value all lives and experiences, especially women and girls of color. The Commission strives to eliminate disparities for vulnerable women and girls, regardless of their age, race, color, creed, abilities, socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity at birth.

• Gender and racial wealth gap
• Gender and racial parity in leadership roles
• Strengthen and enforce protections against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, which are especially important to ensure women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are treated equally and fairly in the workplace