AAUW NM Public Policy
2019-2021

AAUW NM Public POlicy is reviewed, revised, and adopted every two years and guides AAUW NM Legislative education.

AAUW-NM supports AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. The work of AAUW builds upon responsible public participation and our priorities provide a basis for AAUW members’ actions. Our positions are shaped by our commitment to being nonpartisan and fact-based and to acting with integrity. We strive for our work to be inclusive and intersectional by collaborating with diverse allies and coalitions to achieve equity for all.

AAUW-NM supports the AAUW National Public Policy Program and understands that true equity requires a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of the community. We believe that high-quality public education is the foundation of a democratic society and the key to improving economic prosperity and gender equality. We promote equitable efforts to close the persistent achievement gap that disproportionately affects low-income children, Native
American students, and students of color.

We recognize gun violence as a health issue. We support campaign finance, ethics reform, and an Independent Redistricting Commission. We support the civil and human rights of all immigrants’; safe, livable, affordable housing; a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; separation of church and state; the right to privacy, a fair, balanced, and independent judiciary; and prevention of all forms of human trafficking. We support all efforts to preserve the rights
guaranteed in the New Mexico Constitution.

Biennial Action Priorities

To support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, diversity, and inclusivity, and to address the barriers and implicit biases that hinder the advancement of women and girls AAUW-NM advocates
• Vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education
• Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students
• Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary education and to charter schools that do not adhere to the same civil rights and accountability standards as required of other public schools
• Increased support for and protection of programs that meet the needs of girls and women in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, including the strong promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and comprehensive sexual health education.
• Increased support for and access to affordable higher education for women an disadvantaged populations
• Support for practices that halt the flow of students from schools to prisons, including reforming school disciplinary practices that disproportionately punish girls and student of color
• Increased number of instructional days for K-12
• Early childhood development initiatives and programs for students with disabilities
• Reasonable and fair capital outlay expenditures
• Freedom from bullying, harassment, and sexual assault
• Effective teen pregnancy and dropout prevention programs

To achieve economic security for all women, AAUW-NM advocates
• Pay equity fairness in compensation and benefits
• Equitable access and advancement in employment, free from systemic barriers and biases, including vigorous enforcement of employment discrimination statutes
• Closing the gender and race gaps in leadership opportunities for women of all backgrounds
• Greater availability of and access to a high standard of benefits and policies that promote work-life balance, including quality and affordable dependent care and paid family, medical, and sick leave
• Programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the workforce, including non-traditional occupations and women’s entrepreneurship
• Strengthening programs, including welfare and career and technical education, to improve postsecondary education access, career development, and earning potential
• Strengthening retirement benefits and programs, including pension improvements and protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from privatization
• Access for all women to the full range of health care services to ensure economic security
• Increasing the number of quality jobs that pay a living wage

To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society, AAUW-NM advocates
• Vigorous enforcement of and full access to civil and constitutional rights, including affirmative action and expansion of voting rights
• Self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions
• Universal access to quality, affordable health care and comprehensive family planning services, including the expansion of patients’ rights
• Freedom from violence and fear of violence, including hate crimes, in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
• Support for U.N. programs that address human rights and women’s and girls’ issues
• Freedom in the definition of self and family and a guarantee of civil rights for all family structures
• Access to well-regulated state guardianship of seniors, including strong oversight of eldercare
• Passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Any attempt to revoke or change the NM Constitutional Amendment will become a priority for action.

Public Policy Priorities update and changes Adopted at the annual meeting on April 28, 2019