Download “10 Questions to Ask Candidates” as a PDF
The 2018 elections are crucial to the rights of women.
The PowHer the Vote 2018 is a campaign to inform women about topics that matter this election season, and make sure candidates know that we are watching and expect answers and action on issues that affect our lives.
To make it easier to be an informed voter before heading to the polls, the PowHerNY Network came up with 10 Questions to Ask Candidates. See the full list below!
BETTER JOBS/ FAIR PAY
1. With the majority of women working in low wage jobs and 6 in 10 mothers being primary or co-breadwinners, what policies will help New York women transition into higher paying jobs that match the requirements of a changing employment market?
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
2. How would you as an elected official improve New York women’s access to comprehensive reproductive health care including contraception and abortion, and address the racial disparities in maternal mortality rates?
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
3. If you could propose one piece of legislation that would greatly improve the quality of life for domestic violence survivors and their families, what would it be?
CHILD CARE
4. Child care is essential for women’s participation in the workplace, and a catalyst for economic prosperity. But childcare costs in New York are prohibitive; only 20% of families who qualify for assistance receive it; and providers struggle to retain staff due to low wages. What actions would you promote to ensure equitable access to affordable, quality child care for all New York children and fair salaries for childcare educators?
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
5. How would you as a legislator address sexual harassment and gender-based violence in New York’s workplaces, schools, prisons and communities?
EQUAL PAY
6. With the smallest overall gender wage gap in the country of 89 cents, New York State has made progress on pay equity, but not for everyone. The gap for Black women is 66 cents, for Latinas it is 56 cents, and for rural counties about 78 cents. How can government address these very real economic disparities?
IMMIGRANT WOMEN
7. Immigrant women are a core and essential part of our society, yet they face discrimination including: exploitative hiring practices, unsafe working conditions, sexual harassment, religious intolerance, family separation and risk of deportation. What would you propose to safeguard immigrant women against these abuses and to advance their economic opportunity?
EDUCATION
8. Education can be a path out of poverty and a road to financial self-sufficiency for women. How can New York breakdown gender stereotypes; punitive policies, like pushing pregnant students out of school; lack of support, access and finances; and other barriers to educational success?
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
9. Since 1980 there has been an alarming increase in the number of females incarcerated – particularly Black and Latinx women and girls. A staggering 60% of women held in local jails have not been convicted of a crime. What can be done to reduce incarceration, create gender responsive policies, and protect women from sexual violence in the law enforcement system?
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
10. Although women make up half the population, they continue to be woefully underrepresented in elected office, and senior leadership in business and other fields. What do you see as barriers and what would you propose to address these inequities?