Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day–a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. International Women’s Day is also a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter.
At A Better Balance we have always believed in achieving a balance between responsibilities in the paid workforce and responsibilities as a caregiver, whether that is as a caregiver to young children, elderly parents, ourselves, or other loved ones. And part of that balance comes from sharing caregiving responsibilities across traditional gender roles.
We advocate every day for inclusive policies that allow people to balance these priorities without being pushed out of the workforce. While we continue to advocate for policies like The FAMILY Act and The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that have been gaining support at the federal level, we have successfully championed these and other policies at the city and state level, gaining essential protections for working families.
11 states and DC, ad 21 localities have paid sick time laws on the books that allow people to take time off from work when they are sick or need to care for a close family member. Most of these laws also include Safe Time, which allows people to take time off for reasons related to domestic violence and stalking.
6 states and Washington, DC have passed paid family and medical leave laws that allow parents and caregivers of any gender receive paid benefits when they need time off to bond with a new child, care for loved ones suffering from a serious illness, or address their own serious health needs (including those in connection with pregnancy and childbirth).
24 states have passed laws protecting the rights of pregnant workers to stay healthy and on the job even when they require a modest workplace accommodation to do so.
In addition, policies that support equal pay, prevent harassment, and guarantee fair scheduling practices all contribute to a more balanced and equitable culture where all families can thrive.
This International Women’s Day please take a moment to learn more about how inclusive workplace policies that recognize the demands of caregiving can help our society maintain a better balance and strengthen communities across the country.
