GREEN BAY – Significant strides were made to improve the status of Wisconsin women in the five years since the launch of Wisconsin Women = Prosperity (WW=P), according to a report issued today by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton.

WW=P is an economic development initiative launched by Lt. Governor Lawton in response to a Women’s Policy Research Institute’s 2002 report that gave Wisconsin an overall grade of C- for the status of women. Lt. Governor Lawton drew together an unprecedented diverse group of leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to design WW=P as a roadmap to raise that grade. Their recommendations, introduced at the 2005 “Wisconsin Women Forward” convention, were taken up by the newly formed Regional Solutions Networks in agendas ordered to meet the most urgent needs in their area.

“Across Wisconsin, I see talented and tenacious women leading this state’s economic growth,” said Lawton speaking to a packed room at the YWCA of Brown County. “The progress chronicled in this report points to a more prosperous future for Wisconsin.” 

The report details progress made in four areas critical to women’s workforce participation and economic success: Economic Sufficiency; Leadership and Political Participation; Health, Safety and Well Being; and Educational Achievement. Highlights among the accomplishments listed in the report.

* Myriad programs addressing the need to engage more women and girls in study and work in STEM-related fields.

* Pilot programs to improve skills training and access to education to boost the earning power of low-income women.

* An online catalog of proven effective practices to help businesses build a more productive workforce by supporting the success of women.

* Expanded opportunities for women-owned businesses.

* New tracking of the representation of women in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors – and a handy database of women ready to take on those roles.

* Improved health care access for women and girls.

* Increased investment in safety of women and girls.

“This mid-term report reflects some impressive triumphs and it lays bare those areas of resistance where change continues to move at a glacial pace,” Lawton said. “The state now certifies women-owned businesses, W-2 continues to get better at moving working women out of poverty, we’ve extended our reach with access to health care, and employers are beginning to better understand their potential to profit when women succeed.”

The report points to a few “works in progress,” the most notable being persistent inequality in pay for equal work between women and men. The report also notes lack of mental health parity, adequate infrastructure for childcare and unpaid leave for children’s school activities.

 “This is a narrative of determination and dreams, of our obligation to unleash the talent of women across the state and to ensure their daughters and granddaughters dreams bold visions for the future for our state,” Lawton said. “Wisconsin cannot afford a C- grade for the status of women; we need the very best from every member of our workforce. This report is both a chronicle of success and a catalyst to continue, a guide to forge ahead and raise the grade for women and power up Wisconsin’s economy.”

The complete report is available online below:

http://ltgov.wisconsin.gov/docview.asp?docid=13781&locid=126

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