West Virginia
- U.S. Rank 46 of 51
- Index Score 0.294 of 1
- Strength Maternal mortality
- Weakness Representation in state legislature
Inclusion
In 7 states, fewer than 20% of state legislators are women. We measure women’s inclusion in the economic, social, and political spheres of American life. The US Index tracks women’s college completion, representation in state legislatures, their employment and whether they earn a living wage.
West Virginia vs US Average
Legend
- West Virginia
- US Average
Percentage
Indicators
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Full-Time Employment
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West Virginia
Full-Time Employment: 36.4
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US Average
Full-Time Employment: 42.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Working but Poor
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West Virginia
Working but Poor: 7.3
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US Average
Working but Poor: 5.6
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Representation in State Legislature
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West Virginia
Representation in State Legislature: 13.4
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US Average
Representation in State Legislature: 29.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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College Completion
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West Virginia
College Completion: 21.7
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US Average
College Completion: 33
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
Full-Time Employment
The US Index captures the percentage of women ages 16 and older who are employed in full-time work (35+ hours per week). Source: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series USA 2020
- West Virginia
- 36.4%
- US Average
- 42.5%
Working but Poor
Earning below a living wage is a major obstacle to the prospects of millions of Americans and their families. The US Index tracks the percentage in poverty among women who worked 27 weeks or more in the past 12 months. Source: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series USA 2020
- West Virginia
- 7.3%
- US Average
- 5.6%
Representation in State Legislature
Political representation is key to inclusion and ensuring that women’s needs are heard and met. The US Index captures the percentage of seats held by women in both chambers of the state legislature. Source: CAWP 2020
- West Virginia
- 13.4%
- US Average
- 29.5%
College Completion
Higher education is a gateway to economic opportunities and independence. The US Index tracks the percentage of women ages 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree. Source: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series USA 2020
- West Virginia
- 21.7%
- US Average
- 33.0%
Justice
In 37 States, domestic abusers subject to protective orders are not required to relinquish firearms. To capture the extent of justice for women, the US Index tracks seven key legal protections for women, discriminatory attitudes, as well as maternal mortality and access to reproductive health care.
West Virginia vs US Average
Legend
- West Virginia
- US Average
Percentage
Indicators
-
Access to Reproductive Health Care
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West Virginia
Access to Reproductive Health Care: 10
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US Average
Access to Reproductive Health Care: 62
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Seven Key Legal Protections for Women
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West Virginia
Seven Key Legal Protections for Women: 28.6
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US Average
Seven Key Legal Protections for Women: 39.9
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Discriminatory Attitudes
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West Virginia
Discriminatory Attitudes: 31.2
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US Average
Discriminatory Attitudes: 28.4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
Maternal Mortality Per 100,000 Live Births
Indicators
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Maternal Mortality
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West Virginia
Maternal Mortality: 17.2
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US Average
Maternal Mortality: 29.7
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 -
Access to Reproductive Health
Proximity to clinics providing abortion services enables women to exercise their right to choose. The US Index captures the percentage of women ages 15–44 living in a county with a clinic that provides abortion services. Source: Guttmacher Institute 2017
- West Virginia
- 10.0%
- US Average
- 62.0%
Seven Key Legal Protections for Women
Key laws are needed to realize protection from violence, economic opportunities, and reproductive healthcare access. The US Index includes a summary score based on whether state law provides seven key legal protections. Sources: Guttmacher Institute 2020, Alice Paul Institute 2018, Economic Policy Institute 2020, A Better Balance 2020, Legal Momentum 2014, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Farkas et al. 2019,
- West Virginia
- 28.6%
- US Average
- 39.9%
Discriminatory Attitudes
Gender discrimination is often manifested in lack of male support for women engaging equally in economic opportunities and work outside the home. The US Index tracks the 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 woman takes care of the home and family.” Source: National Opinion Research Center 2018
- West Virginia
- 31.2%
- US Average
- 28.4%
Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality is a key indicator of women’s access to healthcare. The US Index captures the number of deaths from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy per 100,000 live births. Source: America’s Health Rankings 2017
- West Virginia
- 17.2
- US Average
- 29.7
Security
In 17 States, fewer than half of women feel safe walking alone at night in their neighborhood. We measure women’s safety and freedom from violence at the household, community, and societal levels. The US Index captures intimate partner violence, health care affordability, women’s safety walking alone at night, and gun-related deaths.
West Virginia vs US Average
Legend
- West Virginia
- US Average
Percentage
Indicators
-
Experienced Intimate Partner Violence
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West Virginia
Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: 8.1
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US Average
Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: 6.9
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Healthcare Affordability
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West Virginia
Healthcare Affordability: 86
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US Average
Healthcare Affordability: 85.9
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
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Safety Walking in Neighborhood at Night
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West Virginia
Safety Walking in Neighborhood at Night: 62.9
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US Average
Safety Walking in Neighborhood at Night: 56.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 -
Gun Deaths per 100,000
Indicators
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Gun-related Deaths
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West Virginia
Gun-related Deaths: 6.6
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US Average
Gun-related Deaths: 3.3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 -
Intimate Partner Violence
Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls is a prerequisite of women’s health, safety, and freedom. The US Index tracks the percentage of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months. Source: Centers for Disease Control 2017
- West Virginia
- 8.1%
- US Average
- 6.9%
Healthcare Affordability
High costs obstruct access to critical healthcare services for many Americans. The US Index tracks the percentage of women who reported being able to see a doctor in the past 12 months without financial constraint. Source: KFF 2018c
- West Virginia
- 86.0%
- US Average
- 85.9%
Safety Walking in Neighborhood at Night
Security and safety in the community affect women’s mobility and opportunities outside the home. Our Index captures the percentage of women ages 18 and older who are not afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their neighborhood. Source: National Opinion Research Center 2018
- West Virginia
- 62.9%
- US Average
- 56.1%
Gun-related Deaths
Living free of the risk of gun violence is essential to individual and community well-being. The US Index captures the number of women who died from gun-related homicides or suicides in the past year per 100,000 women. Source: Centers for Disease Control 2018
- West Virginia
- 6.6
- US Average
- 3.3