Report: Women, Work, and Washington’s Economy: How Budget Cuts Hurt All Three

The Great Recession and ensuing state budget cuts have severely impacted women’s employment, economic security, health, and safety, according to a recent brief from the Washington Budget and Policy Center. A few of the highlights lowlights:

• Of the $10 billion in state spending cuts already made, 93 percent have targeted education, health, and human services – areas that disproportionally employ and serve women;

• Budget cuts are undermining women’s employment and our overall recovery as government jobs in education, health, and social services – where women make up nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of the workforce – are declining;

• Time limits have cut 23,000 Washingtonians off from resources that support work and keep them engaged with the economy and over 27,000 fewer families are receiving assistance to help them afford child care so they can work; and

• Proposed cuts threaten services for domestic violence and sexual assault as the need is rising and more women are requesting help with finding shelter, feeding their children, and other economic hardships.

Read the full report here »