LATEST NEWS | New Report Released

PDFs:

SUMMARY >> On the Road to Equality

FULL REPORT >> On the Road to Equality

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL >> On the Road to Equality

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New Report from the Women’s Foundation Details Policy Recommendations from 18 Statewide Communities About the Health and Well-Being of Minnesota's Girls

MINNEAPOLIS, February 2, 2009 - Today, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota released the new report, On the Road to Equality: Statewide Findings & Policy Recommendations, a supplement to Status of Girls in Minnesota, research released by the Women’s Foundation in April 2008.

On a statewide listening tour from May through July 2008, the Women’s Foundation held community presentations and focus groups in 18 diverse communities to share key research findings from Status of Girls in Minnesota, and gain community input. The communities included 12 in greater Minnesota, including Bemidji, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Marshall, Moorhead, Rochester, Virginia, Warroad, Willmar and St. Cloud; and six in the Twin Cities, including African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LBT (lesbian, bisexual, and transgender), and disabilities communities.

The new report captures the voices and policy recommendations of the community, nonprofit and public leaders who participated in the focus groups. The data represent participants’ perceptions of the challenges girls face in the state and the changes needed to secure their futures.

“With the release of the proposed state budget, we know resources are scarce. Our hope is that this report will serve as a road map for government as they finalize the state budget in the days ahead,” said Lee Roper-Batker, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.

“Additionally, we hope it guides future investments and action from community, business and philanthropic leaders to examine and advocate policies that ensure all girls and women have equal access to opportunities and pathways that lead to economic vitality.”

STATEWIDE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS: Socioeconomics, Education, Health

Focus group participants voiced their concerns in two main contexts: strategies focused on prevention and strategies focused on intervention. Regarding socioeconomics and education, a variety of strategies are highlighted that can potentially prevent women and girls from falling into poverty. Within health, a variety of strategies are highlighted that address risky, self-destructive behaviors girls are engaging in that require successful interventions.

Socioeconomics

Eradicate poverty by helping women stay on pathways to economic success. Among the policy recommendations made, the most urgent was to “fix the broken childcare system.” Overwhelmingly, focus group participants cited a “broken childcare system” as a deterrent for women getting to work, going to school, and assuring their children’s readiness for school.

Participants also called for an increase in access to higher education for low-income women as a way to reduce poverty statewide.

Education

Broaden the definition of education to include schools and communities, with programs delivered in both places. There was a consistent call for integrated, holistic, innovative programming for girls and the need to apply a gender lens. Participants also recommended the need to increase special programs and curricula for girls, girls’ performance in science and math, and girls’ access to nontraditional education and careers.

Health

Ensure an adequate health care system and access to physical and mental health services. Participants underscored the need to increase access to reproductive health care and education to address the statewide “epidemic” of teen pregnancy amongst girls of color and rural girls. In particular, lack of access to comprehensive sex education for Minnesota’s girls was of great concern to focus groups participants.

Collectively, participants called for an increase of mental health services. Participants identified girls’ low self-esteem as a growing problem, leading to undiagnosed (but apparent) depression, consequently putting girls at higher risk for self-destructive, risky behaviors. Additionally, a call to improve and increase culturally competent service providers was made as girls from diverse communities, such as the LBT (lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) and disabilities communities, were viewed as more likely to have limited access to health services.

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PDFs:

SUMMARY >> On the Road to Equality

FULL REPORT >> On the Road to Equality

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL >> On the Road to Equality

Press Inquiries:

Mary Beth Hanson

Communications Director

612-236-1811