The Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the Women’s Foundation of Boston to conduct an in-depth analysis of the state of women and girls across Massachusetts, with a particular emphasis on their economic empowerment.
“We’re interested in gaining a more nuanced understanding of issues specifically in the Commonwealth,” said WCW Senior Research Scientist and Economist Sari Pekkala Kerr, Ph.D., who will lead the project along with WCW Associate Director and Senior Research Scientist Georgia Hall, Ph.D. “Our results will inform targeted interventions aimed at closing the gaps in economic outcomes for Massachusetts women and girls.”
Economic stability and financial independence for women in Massachusetts are challenging. High housing and childcare costs, high poverty rates for single mothers, and a significant gender pay gap impact women’s ability to fully participate in the workforce, pursue career advancement, and achieve financial independence and security for their families. The challenges facing girls in Massachusetts are no less stark. Young women have recently started graduating from college at higher rates than their male peers. However, these advancements are not evenly distributed across demographics and have not translated into economic progress, as reflected in the widening gender pay gap and limited access to leadership positions. Additionally, the mental health crisis among girls has grown even more severe. Research is needed on the status of girls in Massachusetts to better understand where to target solutions.
"Accurate data on the challenges faced by women and girls in our state is essential to addressing the needs of this chronically underserved population, yet it remains unavailable," said Christina Gordon, Co-Founder and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Boston. "Despite the pressing issues they face, only 1.4% of all philanthropic giving in Massachusetts supports nonprofits focused on women and girls. This significant underfunding is alarming and reflects a broader lack of research in this area. We are excited to partner with the Wellesley Centers for Women to gain insights into these challenges. This research will serve as a foundation for developing evidence-based, actionable community solutions."
The year-long project will examine key data indicators on the economic status and experiences of women and girls statewide. These include employment, occupational segregation, the gender pay gap, breadwinner roles, caregiving, single motherhood, same-sex marriages, education, entrepreneurship, childcare, poverty, housing, wealth, safety, criminal justice, health, reproductive issues, and leadership across political, civic, and corporate sectors.
“This data will give us a clearer picture of where the challenges are and point us toward solutions,” said Hall. “The goal is to transform research into action for women and girls in Massachusetts.”
