U.S. Women, Peace and Security Index
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How does your state rank on women's rights & opportunities?
Georgetown’s US Index provides the most comprehensive measurement of women’s rights and opportunities in America.
Our research reveals vast differences across the country, with Massachusetts scoring almost four times better than Louisiana.
There are clear regional patterns – as well as important variations within regions.
Explore the U.S. WPS Index
Women face serious inequalities and injustices in America
The US Index captures how women’s rights and opportunities vary based on their race; examines how women’s legal protections vary by state; and reveals enormous deficits in lagging states.
Racial Disparities Among Women
Gender inequalities are compounded by racial injustice. Between Black and white women, gaps are most marked in college completion, state legislative representation, and maternal mortality. One of many striking facts: in New Jersey, maternal mortality rates for Black women are almost quadruple those for white women.
Missing Legal Protections
Women’s status varies across state lines–especially their legal protections. The state in which a woman lives determines her ability to file a workplace sexual harassment claim, her level of protection from an abusive partner, whether she can take paid time off for caregiving, and more. No state offers full legal protections of the set of women’s rights identified as most critical; 6 states offer none.
Key Gender Gaps
The largest disadvantages for women relative to men are in state legislative representation, community safety, and employment. For gun deaths and college education, men are worse off.
Let's make every state a great state for women.
Contact your elected representative to demand action, and support non-profits working to improve women’s rights and opportunities.
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