The United States Women, Peace, and Security Index: Dimensions, indicators, and rationale
Security (At the individual and community levels)
Intimate partner violence:
Percentage of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
Rationale: Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls is a prerequisite of women’s health, safety, and freedom.
Gun deaths:
Number of women who died from gun-related homicides or suicide in the past year per 100,000 women.
Rationale: Living free of the risk of gun violence is essential to individual and community well-being.
Healthcare affordability:
Percentage of women who reported being able to see a doctor in the past 12 months without financial constraint.
Rationale: High costs obstruct access to critical healthcare services for some Americans.
Community safety:
Percentage of women ages 18 and older who are not afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their neighborhood.
Rationale: Security and safety in the community affect women’s mobility and opportunities in society.
Justice (Formal laws and discrimination)
Reproductive Healthcare Access:
Percentage of women ages 15 – 44 living in a county with a clinic that provides abortion services.
Rationale: Proximity to clinics providing abortion services enables women to exercise their right to choose.
Legal Protection:
Summary score based on whether state law provides the seven protections. View Legal Protections.
Rationale: Key laws are needed to realize protection from violence, economic opportunities, and reproductive healthcare access.
Discriminatory norms:
Percentage of men ages 18 and older who agree with the statement: “It is much better for everyone involved if the man is the achiever outside the home and the women take care of the home and family.”
Rationale: An important manifestation of gender discrimination is a lack of male support for women engaging equally in economic opportunities and work outside the home.
Maternal mortality:
Number of deaths from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy per 100,00 live births.
Rationale: Maternal mortality is a key indicator of women’s access to healthcare and the responsiveness of the healthcare system to their needs.
Inclusion (Economic, social, political)
Employment:
Percentage of women ages 16 and older who are employed in full-time work (35+hours per week).
Rationale: Participation in employment captures economic opportunities and is central to realizing women’s capabilities.
Working Poor:
Percentage in poverty among women who worked 27 weeks or more in the past 12 months.
Rationale: Earning below a living wage is a major obstacle to the prospects of millions of Americans and their families.
State Legislature:
Percentage of seats held by women in both chambers of the state legislature.
Rationale: Political representation is key to inclusion and ensuring that women’s needs are heard and met.
College Degree:
Percentage of women ages 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree.
Rationale: Higher education is a gateway to economic opportunities and independence.