Research report data highlights barriers impacting women’s workforce participation in Kansas and key opportunities for impacting change
KANSAS CITY, MO – November 15, 2022 – Today, United WE revealed findings from its Kansas Town Hall series, a sharing and listening initiative to identify barriers impacting women in the workplace and entrepreneurship. The research report features experiences from women across Kansas and will be used to educate community leaders and policymakers and influence change.
With leadership from the Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force, a group of 34 civic, business leaders and elected officials, and strategic partner Kansas League of Municipalities, United WE invited women and allies to participate in seven town hall discussions across the state between June and August. Sessions included in-person and virtual discussions, surveys and anonymous polling to gather both qualitative and quantitative data, with more than 500 people attending from diverse industries and backgrounds.
“The goal of the Town Halls was to embed stories from real women in Kansas into our bipartisan policy reform efforts,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “Thanks to our dynamic Task Force and our generous partners, these sessions allowed us to actively listen and amplify women’s voices. We are now uniquely positioned to advocate for change on the greatest workplace and entrepreneurship barriers Kansas women are facing.”
The initiative was made possible by sponsors, including the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation, Bicknell Family Foundation, The Patterson Family Foundation and United Healthcare. “United WE’s research-based approach to improving economic opportunities for women is important to our organization. We know when women succeed, entire communities are improved,” said Mark Meads, president of the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation.
Through this effort, seven areas were identified as key opportunities for impact:
Childcare
Broadband Access
Entrepreneurship
Occupational Licensing
Healthcare
Paid Family Leave & Family-Friendly Policies
Pay Equity & Financial Stability
“I left the workforce after I had my second child and didn't return until after my 4th child went to preschool because it was too expensive to pay for childcare,” said one Kansas woman. Childcare is one area where United WE is uniquely positioned for impact; the Kauffman Foundation has funded the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, a multi-pronged effort to eliminate childcare barriers in Kansas and on a national level.
Additional Community partners included Fort Hays State University, Garden City Community College, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University.
With the research release, United WE will use the data and stories collected to educate and advocate for opportunities that increase women’s ability to participate in the workforce.
To see the full research release and learn more about United WE, visit www.united-we.org/townhalls.
About United WE
United WE (United Women’s Empowerment) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy and policy solutions. We have conducted 21 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 52 policy actions and supported more than 180 civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing, and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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