women's rights have been stalled under Bush

[cap]

in the past 4 years, there has been no major initiative advancing women's rights.

Under Clinton, we FMLA and women's offices attached to every government agency and women hired at all levels of government

Even under Reagan and Bush I, we had advances in EEOC.

Under this administration, we've had nothing. Everything has been stalled. Leaving aside the subject of abortion, there have been no major initiatives on equal pay.

The layoffs have hit senior professional women the hardest. We are quietly being walked out the door after age 40 and no one is questioning it. No one is asking why after 35 years of women's lib we dont have a flood of women at senior levels in the workforce. Children should not be an issue. They are older and dont need as much time as younger kids do. Women is their late 40's and 50's have children who are college age and so kids shouldnt be an issue for them.

What's going on?

The only thing I can think of is the code talk involving Laura Bush and the surrounding imagery: Older woman walking silently two steps behind her husband wearing clothing that neutralizes her. This is the good woman above criticism.

[Love Bug]

1. If anything, I think we've lost ground

More and more states are passing laws designed to restrict abortion access and even some dems are saying we need to "rethink" our stand regarding Choice.

[cap]

3. it's not just abortion...

it's a whole host of workplace issues that arent getting discussed.

I think we could get more support for workplace issues...

Equal pay and advancement are critical as the inability to support a child is one of the major reasons for abortion. If a woman can support a child and wishes to have one, she truly has a choice. I support choice but we need to bring up bread and butter issues that relate to feminism.

Workplace issues are off the radar when women's issues are being discussed these days.

[donken]

2. The Struggle for Women's Rights at Home and Abroad

I couldn't agree more with you about the steps backwards on women's issues during the Bush administration! Moving Ideas is actually hosting an online discussion on this very issue on Tuesday, March 22 at http://www.movingideas.org/chat/WomenRights/womenrights.php.

--Diana

[CrispyQ]

4. My take is that

women are only valued as long as they are considered sexy, sexual, capable of reproducing, especially with the bully he-men types that currently reside in our highest government positions. These men are very threatened by women, especially strong women who challenge their world views. What any women sees in a man like this is beyond me.

[highlonesome]

5. equal pay -- what to do?

What do you propose should be done about equal pay?

[cap]

6. a number of things...

an audit of supervisors who do not give women assignments that will lead them to a better career path and penalizing such supervisors.

we need to look at women's work and women's attitudes towards the pink ghetto. Do women want to be in the pink ghetto...or is it the easier choice? Do we change capitalism to reward service/non-profit opportunities?

[LisaLynne]

7. This is a really important issue.

Because abortion rights have been so severely under attack (and now they are moving on to access to birth control), workplace issues have gotten pushed to the background. But, as you said earlier, it's all tied in together in many ways.

I have a friend who works in the computer field (as I do). Even though she had more education, and more experience, when her boss left, a younger man was promoted. This man didn't even have a college degree at all. This sort of thing goes on all the time and in fact, I believe it's getting worse. I see it all the time in the technology field and it feels as though there is less and less than can be done about it. Who has the time and energy to fight? Everybody is so busy and run down. I think that's part of the problem. People are inclined to just let it go. I don't know why that is.

[tigereye]

8. I had read an article recently

that intimated that women's pay had actually been increasing compared to men's and was at it's highest level ever... not sure if that was only professional women. I'll have to look for that.