Statement of Purpose

Access to equitable opportunity is critical for the well-being of women[1] and girls in Washington.

Without it, our communities cannot flourish. Women and girls in Washington State, regardless of immigration status, deserve financial stability and opportunity. Access to well-paying jobs and employer-funded training, educational opportunities, organizational advancement, affordable housing, access to affordable quality childcare, and food security are foundational to the well-being of girls, women, their families, and their communities. 

The Women's Commission (WSWC) is committed to removing barriers for low-income women and girls, especially those who balance caregiving responsibilities, and to investing in infrastructure that lifts women and their families out of poverty. Those barriers include, and are not limited to, those in place based on a person's race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, caste, gender identity, and other socially identified features. In addition, equal pay, digital equity, and access to employment, education, and leadership opportunities are essential to women and girls’ economic advancement at every stage of our lives. 

The Women's Commission seeks to alleviate the disproportionate economic burden associated with the “Motherhood Penalty”[2] by working to address the barriers that prevent mothers, in particular, from advancing in the workplace, such as access to affordable childcare and eldercare, and closing opportunity gaps. As providers, caregivers, and essential drivers of our state's economy, women should be empowered to participate and advance in the workforce free from the barriers women, especially BIPOC women and historically excluded communities, have faced. 

The Commission is committed to advocating for policies that empower women and girls in the workplace and create more equitable environments where we can thrive. 

Goals

The Economic Security & Opportunity Committee within the Washington State Women's Commission will provide assistance and support for the Commission's initiatives. The committee achieves this by fostering collaboration amongst community partners, service providers, and impacted individuals throughout the state. The committee possesses expertise and comprehension of how women in Washington succeed when barriers are addressed, and opportunities are available because when women and girls thrive, businesses thrive, communities thrive, and Washington thrives. By working together, the committee aims to advance the positive economic impact women contribute to their families and the state.

The goal of the Economic Security & Opportunity Committee is to foster a shared understanding and build a robust foundation for communities to address economic disparities among women.  Economic equity means individuals can access opportunities and resources, when and where they need them to achieve economic independence and prosperity.

1. Monitoring state legislation and advocating for legislation advancing women's economic security and opportunity.
2. Collaborating with state agencies to evaluate systems, programs, and policies that impact women and girls.
3. Coordinating with the peer WSWC committees, peer commissions, and Human Rights Commission to address shared concerns.
4. Serving as a liaison between the public and private sectors to identify economic opportunities for women and reduce and/or eliminate barriers to women's economic independence and prosperity.