WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today said that pay equity and paid sick leave were among the issues impacting women in our country. DeLauro joined the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) at a press conference at the National Press Club to release a new report: The Status of Women in the States.

“What this report tells us that while the role of women in society is evolving, our nation’s public policy is lagging behind,” said DeLauro. “From the pay gap that is narrowing but still not equal, to the need to provide children with quality care while their mothers are at work, to a benefits structure that penalizes women, serious obstacles remain.”

Women still earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn - 69 cents for African-American women, and 56 cents for Hispanic women. To lower the wage gap that exists between women and men’s earnings, DeLauro introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act in three consecutive Congresses and with over 100 cosponsors. The Paycheck Fairness Act would take steps needed to eliminate gender-based wage discrimination and ensure that women will finally earn what men earn for the same work.

Almost half of all working mothers report they must miss work when their child is sick with a minor illness, such as a cold or an ear infection. Many do not get paid when they stay home to care for their child - largely because women are more likely to work in part-time or low-wage jobs that lack benefits like sick leave or vacation time. DeLauro introduced the Healthy Families Act to require that employers provide seven days of paid sick leave annually for either the employee’s own medical needs or to allow the employee to care for the medical needs of a family member.

“An agenda for women is based on principle and goes to the heart of what women believe- that government must play a role in making opportunity real,” said DeLauro. “As we look toward the upcoming Congress, this report provides an opportunity to open a dialogue that will impact public policy for women in the coming months.”

The Status of Women in the States describes women’s status nationally and discusses differences in how women fare among the states. The report released today presents an overview of the status of women of color in the United States, both nationally and by state. Connecticut was named overall one of the best states for women’s economic, political and social status.