Our Advocacy Agenda
At YWCA Princeton, we seek a world free from inequity. That’s why we advocate for policies that promote peace, justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for 160 years.
Our 2022-2023 Advocacy Agenda :
Legislative Priorities in the 118th Congress
- Strengthen the nation’s network of childcare and early learning providers and increase access to quality, affordable childcare for working families
- Advance equity, safety, and racial justice for women and girls of color across justice, education, health, and other systems with documented racial disparities
- Strengthen the nonprofit sector’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis
- Ensure safe, fair, and inclusive workplaces that expand opportunities for women, women of color, LGBTQ+ people, and historically marginalized communities
Federal, State Policies, and Where We Stand
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Affordable Childcare
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Roe v. Wade
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Violence Against Women Act
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Same Day Voter Registration
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Racism as a public health crisis
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Respect for Marriage Act
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Marijuana Legalization
National
Center-based childcare remains a massive expense on working families and parents all over the country, and in some case, an unaffordable/unavailable luxury in certain communities. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic had severe impacts on childcare throughout the country as well. Sustainable, affordable, and safe childcare institutions prove pivotal to meeting the needs of all women, families, and communities. According to YWomenVote 2022, 52% of mothers express worry and concern about accessing childcare. Systemic barriers have impacted communities for color, families, and non-traditional families/working hours, leaving them without quality and affordable childcare.
State
In New Jersey, all childcare and early learning programs that accept, or wish to accept, child care assistance payments must comply with the requirements set forth by CCDBG (Child Care Development Block Grant). The goals of this grant reauthorization are to provide working parents access to affordable and easily accessible childcare, and improve the health, safety and quality of childcare.
Where We Stand
Our childcare sees over 100 students daily and we take pride in offering scholarships to families in need. Due to high stress and demand placed on childcare workers, primarily women of color, teachers are fleeing the profession in higher numbers than ever before across the nation. We must prioritize and invest in our daycares to ensure a healthy economy allowing businesses to stay open and more women in the workforce. We need Congress to make additional investments in childcare, increasing living wages and creating robust skill-based trainings for childcare employees.
National
January 22, 1973, The Supreme Court issued a 7-2 decision in favor of Roe, in which women have the constitutional right to have an abortion, protected under the 14th amendment. June 24, 2022, Supreme Court ruled a 5-4 vote overturning Roe triggering severe abortion bans in almost half the states in our nation. As a result of this brutal overturn, young women, and people with uteruses have lost a right to their own reproductive rights, even more so disproportionately affecting people of color.
State
Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, The New Jersey Supreme Court has re-recognized and codified the right to safe abortions under the state constitution also extending beyond federal constitution protection. In the spring of 2021, The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners voted to repeal unnecessary regulations and other barriers placed on the right to an abortion.
Where We Stand
YWCA Princeton will continue to advocate for and defend the rights that Roe once protected nationwide. Bodily autonomy is an essential part of gender equity, racial justice, and overall wellness. While we are fortunate and proud to live and work in a state where abortions rights are protected, we stand in solidarity to those fighting to maintain the right to safely and legally access abortions.
National
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal enacted in 1994 providing protection to women who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes. VAWA is able to provide funds for shelters, legal assistance, and hotlines to survivors, while strengthening penalties for those committing the crime. VAWA protects the rights of immigrant survivors to have access to these services. It also includes provisions that strengthen non-discrimination laws and creating services geared towards the LGBTQ community. The crisis remains particularly high for women of color, due to barriers, lack of access, and policing systems that were built in ways that fail them and their families.
State
New Jersey fully supports the Violence Against Women Act. New Jersey has made $945,000 available to support programming for VAWA (awarded on a competitive basis and on standing with state and federal agencies). Essential services include, hotlines, crisis response shelters, counseling, advocacy, and outreach. New Jersey makes it a point to provide proper care for minority groups as well.
Where We Stand
We urge Congress to maintain enforcement of the Violence Against Women Act and hold perpetrators accountable. The Violence Against Women Act also provides housing protection for survivors of domestic abuse and violence. In the most recent reauthorization of this act in 2022, it now includes protections for indigenous people and members of the LGBTQIA community. Furthermore, we call on Congress to pass the Family Violence Prevention & Services Act extending the rights of VAWA to children and the entire family. We also support mandates making those convicted of domestic abuse/violence unable to purchase guns.
National
Almost half of the country offers same day voting registration. This enables voters to register and to vote at the same time, also referred to as Election Day registration. To register, voters are asked to provide proof of residency and identification at the point of registration.
State
Currently, New Jersey has a three-week deadline to register to vote and does not allow for same day voting registration. This circumstance decreases voter turnout and participation even more so among minority groups and young citizens. Legislation has been introduced in NJ to allow voters to register and vote on Election Day but has not been passed.
Where We Stand
YWCA Princeton is proud to partner with the NJ League of Women Voters in hopes of getting Same-Day Voter Registration passed in NJ. As per the University of Massachusetts, states with SDR have a 17% higher turnout rate for Black and Latinx Americans. We support passing SDR in New Jersey to ensure that all eligible votes are counted and voices are heard.
National
Led by NJ Senator Cory Booker, there is currently a resolution on the senate floor to declare racism a public health crisis with companion legislation to be introduced in the House of Representatives. This resolution highlights the disparities and systemic racism in health care faced by the Black, Latinx, American Indian, and Alaska native populations including shorter life expectancies, worsened health conditions, and enhanced exposure to harmful environments. This resolution would create action steps to stop the inequity in health care services provided across the country
State
Due to centuries of trauma, communities of color experience unique issues upon healthcare and experience worse health outcomes than white Americans. To address these health disparities, making a public declaration that racism is a public health crisis is a crucial first step in creating more equitable healthcare. The Mayors Wellness Campaign is working with New Jersey towns in their efforts to convey racial health inequality. This campaign will collaborate with NJ mayors to provide the right tools and strategies to end these racial injustices within healthcare.
Where We stand
YWCA agrees with the need to declare racism as a public health crisis. We support cost-effective and accessible access to healthcare for all people and reject the systemic racism that leads to substandard care in marginalized communities. Through partnering with organizations like Penn Medicine and Zufall Health, we will continue to bring qualified health care professionals into our community to ensure that all medical needs are being met in an equitable manner
National
The Respect for Marriage Act became Public Law in December of 2022 replacing provisions that defined marriage as purely a man and a woman. States are now required to recognize that marriage between two individuals, regardless of race or gender, is valid under state law. The act also replaces provisions that do not require states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states with provisions that prohibit the denial of full faith and credit or any right or claim relating to out-of-state marriages on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.
State
January 10, 2022, Governor Murphy signed S3416, codifying marriage equality and providing all pre-existing laws concerning marriage/civil union are to be read with gender neutral intent.
Where We Stand
The Respect for Marriage Act requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages, which is currently constitutionally protected since the 2015 Supreme Court Case Obergefell v. Hodges. Should this ruling be overturned same-sex marriage would return to a states’ right with many immediately overturning. We continue to support the Respect for Marriage Act and celebrate its bipartisan support.
National
Marijuana possession has become legalized in 23 states and territories of the United States including, but not limited to, Washington D.C., Guam, and New Jersey. On October 7th, President Biden announced he will issue a pardon to all those who were convicted of a simple marijuana possession charge, while calling on state governors to make similar strides under state laws. To possess marijuana in the US, individuals must be over the age of 21, where most legalized states allow no more than around 2 ounces of the plant.
State
Cannabis is legal in New Jersey under the New Jersey Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act signed by Governor Murphy. Murphy also signed S-3454 making cannabis and marijuana possession and use illegal for those who are under the age of 21. The state will continue to maintain strict regulations on amounts an individual can possess, and places where smoking is permitted. The current law protects citizens and their right to use where employers are prohibited to make employment decisions solely based on drug test results.
Where We Stand
The War on Marijuana and other banned substances have cost states millions of dollars and has cost those convicted so much more. Marijuana arrests also unjustly affect Blacks, though usage amongst races is nearly the same, Blacks are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for simple marijuana possession (ACLU). We support New Jersey’s legalization of marijuana and President Biden’s pardons of those currently imprisoned for simple marijuana possession.
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