Unemployment has been a particularly relevant topic in this time of economic downturn, and it garnered even more attention last week when the Department of Labor released its latest numbers that showed unemployment hit 10.2 percent in October.
It’s true that unemployment is a major concern that will affect thousands of residents in the District and even more across the nation. But while media and individuals worry about joblessness, an important story is going unheard. It is the story of a DC woman who works hard to provide for her kids. Forty hours a week, 50 weeks a year she comes into her office and works diligently. Unlike so many who are unemployed, she has a steady, full-time, year-round job. And yet, she and her children still live in poverty.
The DC Women’s Agenda’s latest report uses census numbers from the 2008 American Community Survey to demonstrate how women in DC still face economic disparity. Perhaps the most shocking finding of all in this report is that just over six percent of single woman-headed households where the woman has a full-time, year-round job still live in poverty. Furthermore, one in five women-headed households where the woman works (either part-time or full time) live in poverty as well.
The report details many other areas where women fall behind in economic equality. The median income of a man working full time in DC is 17 percent higher than that of a woman full time ($43,391 versus $36,987). At each level of educational attainment from graduate degrees to high school, men earn more money than women. Compare median earnings of $65,432 for a man with a bachelor’s degree versus median earnings of $50,995 for a woman who also holds a bachelor’s degree. I hope these findings will inspire our leaders to take action on the economic situation of women in the District.
Of course it is important to be concerned about unemployment. We all want to work in an economy where men and women can find steady, fairly-compensated work to provide for themselves and their families. But we need an economy that works for everyone – where women don’t face gender-based discrimination. We need an economy where the mother who works year-round at her full-time job doesn’t struggle with the bills every month because although she is employed, she lives below the poverty line.
We need employment for everyone that truly means economic security.
To view the full report, visit www.wowonline.org.
Debbie Billet-Roumell is coordinator of the D.C. Women’s Agenda. You can contact her for more information at DBRoumell@wowonline.com.
