New York, NY \u2013 Dozens of women today joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council Member Jessica Lappin in a call to action for the empowerment of women and in support of the Women\u2019s Equality Agenda. From fighting gender discrimination in all its forms to ending pay inequity to protecting a woman\u2019s right to choose, the group united in their commitment to fight for all women across the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York has long been a leader in the fight to extend equality to people who are historically and routinely denied it,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cAnd although we\u2019ve achieved meaningful advances in women\u2019s rights, women still endure unfair burdens including barriers to equal pay, the right to choose and protection against domestic violence \u2013 obstacles that continue to affect their livelihood, wellbeing, safety and health. The Women\u2019s Rights Agenda will improve these areas of life for women and ensure equal treatment under the law. I thank the Governor for spearheading this critical proposal, and I know that New York State will be stronger and better for it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Specifically, the Governor\u2019s 10-point proposal will:
\n\u2022 Achieve Pay Equity
\n\u2022 End Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces
\n\u2022 Permit the Recovery of Attorneys\u2019 Fees in Employment and Credit and Lending Cases
\n\u2022 Toughen Human Trafficking Laws
\n\u2022 End Family Status Discrimination
\n\u2022 Eliminate Source-of-Income Discrimination
\n\u2022 End Housing Discrimination for Domestic Violence Victims
\n\u2022 Stop Discrimination Against Pregnant Women
\n\u2022 Protect Domestic Violence Victims by Strengthening Order-of-Protection Laws
\n\u2022 Protect Reproductive Health Care Decisions
\n\u201cIt\u2019s only fitting that today, on International Women\u2019s Day, one day after President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization into law, that we stand united to voice our full-throated support for Governor Cuomo\u2019s Women\u2019s Equality Agenda. Whether it\u2019s fighting for equal pay for equal work, reproductive rights, or against domestic violence and the scourge of human trafficking, New York State, the birthplace of the movement for American women\u2019s rights, is once again stepping forward as a national leader,\u201d said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile some states, like Arkansas, are moving backwards on women\u2019s rights, it\u2019s wonderful that Governor Cuomo is moving New York forward. The right to choose, pay equity and combating discrimination are issues I\u2019ve fought for alongside Congresswoman Maloney and Speaker Quinn, and I\u2019m proud to see we\u2019re making progress on these fronts,\u201d said Council Member Jessica Lappin.<\/p>\n
Announced during the Governor\u2019s State of the State address in January, the Women\u2019s Equality Agenda sets a comprehensive plan to combat gender discrimination and inequality, and to protect reproductive health care decisions. The press conference also served as an observance of International Women\u2019s Day, a time to celebrate women\u2019s achievements while raising awareness of the struggles that women face worldwide. Elected officials from all levels of government in addition to a multitude of advocacy groups joined today\u2019s event in a robust showing of support for the proposal.<\/p>\n
Please see attachment for a list of leaders expressing support for the Women\u2019s Equality Agenda.<\/p>\n
###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York, NY \u2013 Dozens of women today joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council Member Jessica Lappin in a call to action for the empowerment of women and in support of the Women\u2019s Equality Agenda. From fighting gender discrimination in all its forms to ending pay inequity to protecting a woman\u2019s right to choose, the group united in their commitment to fight for all women across the state.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n