Public Policy Priorities 2024-2026

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN OF OREGON BIENNIAL ACTION PRIORITIES 2024-2026

“AAUW of Oregon promotes advocacy, takes action to empower women and girls, and connects AAUW National with branch members.”

AAUW of Oregon’s Public Policy Committee, guided by our National and State Mission Statements and the National AAUW 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities and Goals establish the following biennial priorities:

1. Support a quality fully funded K-12 and higher public education system

  • Support adequate and equitable funding for education, statewide summer learning, early learning, and special education.
  • Support for Gender Equity and Title IX.
  • Oppose policies that support book banning or curriculum censorship.
  • Advocate for increased participation of women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and civics, history, and political science (CHIPS).
  • Support implementation of current legislation for statewide science-based reading instruction to address Oregon’s Literacy Crisis.
  • Oppose diversion of public funds to non-public elementary and secondary education, charter, and cyber charter schools.
  • Support legislative action on equitable, affordable, and reliable broadband infrastructure, services, and when needed appropriate devices and digital security to Oregon’s elementary and secondary students.

2. Advocate for racial, ethnic and gender equity/representation/economic security

  • Support all aspects of Oregon’s Equal Pay Act. Support increased proportional representation of women in public and private leadership roles in Oregon, including training for public office and governing and advisory boards.
  • Support for enforcement of employment anti-discrimination statutes.
  • Advocate for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
  • Support safe, livable, and affordable housing.
  • Advocate for affordable child and youth care and early childhood education programs that link state and local community partnerships to include health, nutrition, and other supportive services.

3. Support health care for all Oregonians

  • Address sexual harassment, assault, physical violence, and human trafficking.
  • Advocate for universal availability of quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all.
  • Support self-determination in women’s reproductive health decisions.
  • Advocate for recognition that gun violence is a health care issue.

4. Protection of our democracy

  • Support campaign finance reform to enhance political equality for all citizens.
  • Promote equal access in the voting process, combatting voter suppression efforts.
  • Support redistricting efforts by citizens.

5. Expanding our influence through collaborations with like-minded organization and individuals

  • Provide ongoing education to all AAUW of Oregon branches throughout the year covering our state priority issues, current legislative reports, monthly updates of local branches and statewide advocacy, and providing access to research and training opportunities.
  • Collaborate with other nonprofit and community-based organizations and agencies sharing mutual interests and issues, widening our impact.

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AAUW OF OR PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM GOALS 2022-24

1. Public Education: Pre-K through Higher Education

  • Improved and stable funding for Title IX enforcement;
  • Increased proficiency of K – 12 school students in civics and civic engagement;
  • Equal educational opportunities for all with emphasis on the protection and preservation of academic freedom and access to broad-based, bias-free education at all levels;
  • Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary education and to charter schools that do not adhere to the same civil rights and accountability standards as required of other public schools;
  • Sufficient funding to ensure high quality, affordable education at all levels, especially for women in poverty and women who are incarcerated, including access to pre-school education, continuing education and workforce technical programs, and job training;
  • Closing of the persistent achievement gap that disproportionately affects low-income children and students from communities of color;
  • Support for programs that break through barriers for women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and civics, history and political science (CHiPS);
  • Provision of financial assistance for childcare and other costs associated with being a student parent.

2. Elimination of Discrimination and Violence

  • Protection of all persons from discrimination and violence on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, age or class;
  • Elimination of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault;
  • Promotion of racial, ethnic and gender justice, including creating a diverse culture where the richness of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives is fully appreciated and utilized;
  • Adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution and the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women;
  • Support of programs that address human trafficking;
  • Freedom from violence and fear of violence, including hate crimes, in homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

3. State and Local Government

  • Ensure full and fair access to civil and constitutional rights, including meaningful campaign finance reform, nonpartisan voting districts, open and fair elections, and nonpartisan voter education efforts;
  • Fair and equitable taxation at all levels of government;
  • Elimination of the kicker and establishment of an adequate reserve fund;
  • Reaffirmation of the separation of church and state;
  • Ensure adequate long-term funding for education, public safety and human services;
  • Accountability and transparency in government operations;
  • Support of a fair, balanced and independent judiciary.

4. Health Care

    • Universal availability of quality, affordable and accessible health services for all;
    • The right of all persons to have access to the reproductive health care options of their choice;
    • Adoption of policies that mitigate climate change and lead to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment;
    • Recognition that gun violence is a health care crisis.

5. Economic Self-Sufficiency

    • Greater availability of and access to benefits that promote work and life balance, including quality and affordable dependent care;
    • Strengthening access to safe, affordable housing for women and children, especially those living at or below the poverty level;
    • Prevention of discrimination based on age;
    • Equitable advancement for and recognition of women in employment and leadership roles;
    • Pay equity and fairness in compensation.
    • The ability of all persons to have affordable access to electronic and other communications systems. (new for 2022-2024)