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More than 40 years of evidence has demonstrated that achieving gender equality, primarily through investing in women, leads to reductions in poverty, faster economic growth, and significant improvements in family health, nutrition, education, and quality of life. And while the progress of American women across political, social and economic domains is irrefutable, in many parts of the country we are still far from attaining gender equality. The promotion of gender equity, therefore, becomes an important tool for effective economic development and justice for women.

In November 2013 the Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative convene a group of women leaders from across the state to begin a conversation about the barriers and opportunities for women to achieve economic justice in Mississippi. A month following the convening, a smaller group of the participants were interviewed as part of a focus group.

Download Towards a Women’s Economic Justice Movement in Mississippi

Compounded Challenges

Across the United States, many women face disparities in wages and employment while providing for their families and balancing child care and other family responsibilities.

The growing number of families headed by single mothers exacerbates these issues. In Mississippi, the prevalence of poverty, births to unmarried parents, and the interaction between gender and race disparities make these challenges particularly detrimental to the state’s families. Attention is being paid on a national level to the gender pay gap and paid family leave. This data brief focuses on the status of women and economic security in Mississippi to inform policy development that addresses the unique challenges of women and families in Mississippi.

Download Women And Economic Security In Mississippi: A Data Brief