Platform for Progress

Throughout history, the actions of Congress, the President and the courts have had a tremendous impact on the progress of women and girls at school, in the workplace, and in almost every other aspect of their lives. Laws, regulations and court decisions prohibiting discrimination and otherwise protecting and advancing women’s rights and opportunities have resulted in significant improvements in the lives of women and their families. These improvements have benefited not only individual women and their families but also the nation as a whole. 

While it is clear that progress has been made, Congress, the President and the courts can also erect obstacles, raise barriers, and undermine rights. Women today are facing enormous challenges – struggling to achieve economic security and health care that meets their needs, and facing difficulties securing access to equal educational and employment opportunities. Instead of providing needed supports, in recent years one or more of the three branches of government have weakened critical government programs, gutted core protections, and blocked initiatives to meet both continuing and new challenges and needs.

The National Women’s Law Center’s Platform for Progress is designed to address these and other critical problems through concrete proposals that the federal government can adopt and implement to meet its responsibility to help women and their families reach their potential and lead economically secure lives. Some of these proposals can be adopted and implemented quickly, and some will take more time. All demand immediate attention.