INCREASING WOMEN'S INCOME
Budgetary Policy

Government budgets impact the lives of women and girls of all ages. Through their budgets, the federal government and state and local governments outline each year what their priorities are and how much money these priorities will receive. Lawmakers tend to fund programs they view as high-priority programs at high levels, and low-priority programs at lower levels, so budgets are also a useful indicator of the importance lawmakers attach to each program.

Budgets fund K-12 education and student loan programs to educate girls and young women, anti-violence programs including battered women’s shelters and rape crisis programs, and affordable housing programs and nutrition assistance programs for elderly and disabled women.

Advocates for increased investment in programs argue that the United States is competing in a global economy. Therefore, it is important to invest in critical programs to ensure that the United States remains competitive. This means investing in critical priorities including education, workers and energy resources.

Advocates also point out that since 2001, programs that help improve the lives of individuals and families have suffered from lack of investment and in some cases, funding cuts.

Opponents of increased funding for critical programs argue that the government is already too big and is spending too much of taxpayers’ money. They also argue that there is a limited amount of money in state and federal budgets – especially in an economic downturn – and therefore decisions must be made to prioritize some programs over others. In addition, some opponents argue that the defense and security of the United States is an essential purpose of government and thus is a justified use of government money, and that funding for non-defense items should be decided on a case-by-case basis only.

YWCA Position
Increasing Women’s Incomes includes policies that contribute to the economic empowerment of women. This includes but is not limited to policies that address the minimum wage, pay equity, social security, and budget and tax policy.

The YWCA believes that budgets are a statement of priorities. The YWCA supports investments in programs that help improve the lives of women and girls.