From Oxfam America (http://www.oxfamamerica.org):
On November 30, Oxfam America in partnership with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) launched its Undervalued and Underpaid in America: Women in Low-Wage, Female-Dominated Jobs report. While much of the discussion after the election has focused on the economic anxiety that plagues the millions of American workers who’ve seen their wages steadily erode over the years, the surprising reality is that the majority of these workers are women.
Millions of women in the U.S. are stuck in “low-wage women’s work” – jobs that pay low wages, provide scant benefits, impose irregular hours, take a toll on physical and emotional health, and offer minimal opportunities for advancement. Research shows that most of these workers are women, a disproportionate number are women of color, and many are mothers of dependent children.
The deck is stacked against working women – many of whom have considerable levels of educations and are often single mothers. Men with similar skills and education have increased odds of landing better jobs: jobs that pay more and offer more opportunities. And, when men do take jobs considered “women’s work,” they earn more money on average.
This segregation is only going to get worse, as low-wage women’s jobs are set to increase at one and a half times the rate of all other jobs in the next decade. Fortunately, we can take steps, now, to stem the tide washing over women in low-wage jobs. This report outlines several policy recommendations and steps that President-elect Trump and his Administration can take with Congress to meaningfully reduce inequality, reward hard work, and create ladders of economic mobility for women, and men, who currently earn low wages. One way is to increase the federal minimum wage and Oxfam is proud to support many organizations advocating on that front.
Here are some sample tweets and sharegraphics if you’d like to help promote:
- 1/4 women stuck in low-wage jobs struggling to make ends meet. Success should be possible for all #Fightfor15 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/undervalued
- 19 million women stuck in low-wage jobs. They need a raise. #PEOTUS and #Congress #Fightfor15 & give them a chance http://www.oxfamamerica.org/undervalued
- Women’s work is undervalued & underpaid. @realDonaldTrump #Fightfor15 and Make America Great 4 Women #MAG4WOMEN http://www.oxfamamerica.org/undervalued
This report is part of Oxfam’s work to support low wage workers in the U.S. and is part of our broader efforts to address inequality here in the U.S. and around the globe which will continue to be a priority for our advocacy work. Read more about our priorities for the next Administration here: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/what-we-believe/our-values/
Thank you as always for your ongoing support.
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