Days away from the start of the new Legislative session, we are facing a critical moment of collective reckoning with racial injustice amid a global health crisis that has simultaneously become an economic crisis for so many. The need to take meaningful action to disrupt the structures upholding gender and race-based oppression, violence and discrimination could not be clearer nor more important. Advocating for public policy change provides an opportunity to meet this moment with solutions and build a bridge to a better future. Are you ready?
It’s time to dive into action—for yourself, for your neighbors and for our communities. We know the legislative process can seem overwhelming, especially when the need for change is so great. We’re here to break it down for you. Follow the Women’s Fund on social media (Facebook and Twitter) for real-time updates on our legislative efforts as we do our best not to overcrowd your inbox.
Action is what will make real and lasting change for Nebraskans. And women, like we always have, are going to continue to fight for the things we care about—health care, equity, racial justice, freedom from violence and economic fairness. Will you join us next legislative session and use your voice to advance real change in our state?
Here are the bills we will advocate for to advance gender and racial justice:
- Extending the duration of protection orders so victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and harassment do not have to go to the court year after year to seek safety for themselves and their families.
- Reducing economic barriers to seeking care after sexual assault by supporting the cost of medical care.
- Ending natural hair discrimination in workplaces.
- Removing salary history from the hiring process to disrupt the cycle of race and gender wage discrimination.
- Expanding access to affordable child care, so parents don’t have to choose between work and caring for their children.
- Supporting parents and caregivers with paid leave to care for themselves and their families.
- Protecting renters who are threatened with eviction during this pandemic by capping fees that can be charged for late rent as well as providing explicit authority for local governments to halt evictions during this crisis.
- Ensuring more families can put food on the table by increasing access to food assistance through SNAP.
- Expanding access to quality and culturally relevant maternal health services.
- Increasing access to birth control and supporting efforts for people to choose when, if and how to start a family.
- Protecting and supporting access to reproductive health care – including abortion care – for all Nebraskans.
At the Women’s Fund, we know we will go further together. That is why we need your voice and advocacy to make our community one in which all women and girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We’re honored to continue this work with you.
Thank you for advocating for women and girls!