2007-09 Public Policy Principles for Action
2007-09 Biennial Action Priorities
How the AAUW Public Policy Program Is Developed
Spread the Word About the AAUW Public Policy Program
AAUW PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM, 2007–2009
The public policy program underscores AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research, and speaks to women's needs, aspirations, and concerns across the life span. The work of AAUW builds upon over a century of responsible public participation at the local, state, national, and international levels. AAUW is committed to working in partnership with diverse allies.
The following principles provide a basis for AAUW members’ actions at the local, state, federal, and international levels. Implicit in each is support for government agencies administering programs, including adequate appropriations, effective and accountable administration, and provision for citizen participation. We work to increase the number of underrepresented populations, including women, in policy- and other decision-making positions.
PUBLIC POLICY PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION
Basic to all of AAUW’s public policy efforts is the understanding that true equity requires a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of the community. We firmly believe in the separation of church and state.
AAUW supports constitutional protection for the civil rights of all individuals, including the right to privacy. We believe in choice in the determination of one’s reproductive life.
We support a fair, balanced, and independent judiciary. We oppose all forms of discrimination. We support affirmative action to improve racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. We affirm our commitment to passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
AAUW believes that quality public education is the foundation of a democratic society. We advocate equity, academic freedom, protection from censorship, bias-free education, and responsible funding for all levels of education. We advocate increased access to higher education, especially for women in poverty.
AAUW promotes the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons. Essential to that well-being are an economy that provides equitable employment opportunities, a livable wage, reduction of poverty, quality affordable dependent care, paid family and medical leave, decent and affordable housing, and quality affordable health care; freedom from violence; and a clean and healthful environment. We support a Social Security system that provides inflation-protected, guaranteed lifetime benefits with a progressive benefit formula, spousal and widow benefits, and disability and survivor benefits. We support public budgets that balance individual rights and responsibility to community. We support meaningful campaign finance reform that will promote equitable participation and representation.
AAUW values and is committed to the arts and humanities, which develop and enhance our pluralistic cultural heritage.
AAUW believes that global interdependence requires national and international policies that promote peace, justice, human rights, sustainable development, and mutual security for all people. We advocate public discussion to ensure enlightened decisions on these issues. We support a strengthened United Nations and its affiliated agencies. We advocate implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action from the 4th World Conference on Women and subsequent declarations. We affirm our commitment to the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We support international family planning programs that are consistent with AAUW policy.
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BIENNIAL ACTION PRIORITIES
Biennial priorities for federal action are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution or leadership.
To support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity, AAUW advocates - Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students
- Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary education
- Vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education
- Protection of programs that meet the needs of girls in elementary and secondary education
- Increased support for, and access to, higher education for women and other disadvantaged populations
To achieve economic self-sufficiency for all women, AAUW advocates - Pay equity and fairness in compensation
- Equitable access and advancement in employment
- Vigorous enforcement of employment antidiscrimination statutes
- Greater availability of and access to benefits and policies that create a family-friendly workplace environment
- Programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the workforce, including nontraditional occupations
- Strengthening programs, including welfare and vocational education, to improve postsecondary education access, career development, and earning potential
- Protection of the social insurance nature of Social Security
To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates - Vigorous protection of and full access to civil and constitutional rights
- Choice in the determination of one’s reproductive life
- Freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
- Increased access to health care and family planning services, and expansion of patients’ rights
- Support for U.N. programs that address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns
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HOW THE AAUW PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM IS DEVELOPED
Purpose of the Public Policy Program
AAUW's Public Policy Program establishes the federal action priorities on which AAUW members across the country will focus their advocacy efforts and guides the work of the national staff.
Member Input
The strength of the two-year AAUW Public Policy Program is that it originates and ends with the membership. The adoption of the Association's two-year Public Policy Program at each national convention is the culmination of a process involving AAUW members nationwide.
- Member survey: Individual members complete the survey published in AAUW Outlook and published on AAUW's website.
- Ongoing feedback mechanisms: Leaders and staff receive feedback on AAUW issues through branch and state reports, committee calls with state leaders, member response, and AAUW Helpline calls.
Development of the Public Policy Program
In the fall of even-numbered years, the Association Public Policy Committee meets to develop a proposed two-year Public Policy Program using the results of the member survey, ongoing feedback, and advice from staff on likely legislative action before the Congress in the next biennium. Criteria used for developing the program priorities include viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution.
Once developed, the proposed program priorities are presented to the AAUW Board of Directors for approval. Upon approval, the proposed program is then sent to state public policy chairs and sent to every member through AAUW Outlook. States and branches are encouraged to discuss the program with their members prior to convention.
At the Convention
The Association Public Policy Committee conducts convention briefing sessions on the proposed program prior to the business session in which it is considered and voted on by delegates. The briefings allow delegates the opportunity to receive background information, have questions answered, discuss any concerns or proposed changes, and work with the committee to draft any proposed amendments. By the time consideration and adoption of the Public Policy Program come to the convention floor, delegates have had time to participate in briefings, discuss the program informally, and understand its importance to AAUW's work in the public policy arena.
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SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE AAUW PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM!
Download and print the public policy brochure and distribute it at branch and coalition meetings, voter education events, community gatherings, or anywhere else where women gather. Up to 10 copies of the brochure are available to members free of charge from the AAUW HELPLINE. For additional copies, contact Shop AAUW at 800/225-9998. For more information, call 800/326-AAUW (2289) or e-mail votered@aauw.org.
The public policy program underscores AAUW’s mission of promoting equity and education for all women and girls. The work of AAUW builds upon a century of responsible public participation at the local, state, national, and international levels. AAUW is committed to working in partnership with diverse allies.
The following principles provide a basis for AAUW members’ actions at the local, state, federal, and international levels. Implicit in each is support for government agencies administering programs, including adequate appropriations, effective administration, and provision for citizen participation. We work to increase the number of underrepresented populations, including women, in policy and other decision-making positions.
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To learn more about AAUW and how to join or affiliate, visit www.aauw.org, e-mail helpline@aauw.org, call 800/326-AAUW (2289), or send a fax to 202/872-1425.
