Follow Matt on Facebook

@mattdunnevt

The Issues

Women's Rights

Matt's Stance on Women's Rights

I am committed to ensuring women have equal opportunities and the freedom to make choices about their families, careers and bodies.

Women earn approximately 80 cents for every dollar men make doing the same job. While more women in Vermont attain bachelors degrees than men, their average wage is only a few hundred dollars more than that of men with high school diplomas. Affordable childcare is scarce, housing costs continue to rise and women are twice as likely as men to live in poverty. These realities prevent women from making choices that allow them to escape poverty and advance to economic security. As the national Director of AmeriCorps*VISTA, I helped develop effective strategies for empowering people out of poverty, including innovations in delivering quality childcare, addressing transportation and housing needs in rural communities, and developing programs for women to start their own small businesses. Vermont non-profits have already taken the lead in innovative empowerment strategies and as Governor I will invest in these organizations to give women the best possible opportunities.

But challenges for women are not limited to those in poverty. We need to create a society that can allow women to make choices in life-- whether it be about giving birth to a child, starting a business, or taking time off to care for a child without damaging future job prospects. Additionally, Vermont still faces high rates of domestic violence and we continue to see a rise in the number of women with children entering the corrections system.  

My experience working for progressive companies gives me the private sector platform and first hand experience to understand that providing flexibility in the workplace is good for business. I will advocate for necessary changes in Vermont's work culture to make sure we close the wage gap and ensure women are not penalized for doing right by their children. I will partner with business groups and women empowerment organizations to make sure we achieve the culture of business that allows all women to succeed. And under my administration, Vermont will be the state that leads the way in creating a society that empowers women to strengthen our economy, helps women gain a stronger economic foundation and provides women the freedom to make choices.

I would address these issues specifically through:

Protecting a woman’s right to choose: I am absolutely pro-choice. The government should never come between a woman and her doctor.

Addressing domestic violence: A woman fearing the safety of her and her children will frequently become stuck in the complex process of obtaining protection, financial support and temporary housing. I would increase resources through nonprofit partners and connect the dots between providers to assist women across all phases of the domestic violence issue, including prevention, assistance, transition and housing.

Providing universal early education: Since nearly a quarter of households with children are headed by single moms, quality child care is imperative to ensuring women have the same opportunities as men. Vermont needs both universal pre-school and investments in quality daycare to ensure a strong work force and to reduce education costs down the road. My administration will deliver a nation-leading demonstration project for early childhood education by inviting federal and private foundation funds to provide quality education to all 15,000 two, three and four year-olds in our state.

Changing the benefits structure to eliminate the “welfare cliff” for single mothers: I would work with community organizations and local leaders to modify the terms of Vermont’s assistance programs so that women who receive mild income raises do not suddenly lose valuable support from the state.

Finance small businesses and create jobs: With only 25% of businesses in Vermont owned by women, my administration will partner with groups such as the VT Women’s Business Center, Community Action and CEDO organizations to increase the number of women-owned businesses in the state. We can help increase opportunities for creating small businesses by creating micro-finance programs for local investments and expanding the seed capital fund.

Employer education: Provide education for employers to ensure all women understand how to negotiate up front flexibility for family, better pay packages and have the ability to take paid sick days.

Provide broadband and affordable hardware: For many women, the ability to work from home ensures that they don't need to take time off when school is cancelled or children are sick. Providing broadband Internet and cell phone service to the last mile of every town allows individuals to conduct business from home, without needing to commute or take time off.
 
Reforming health care: My administration will deliver a comprehensive self insurance program under a single payer system that will cover everyone in the state, is paid for fairly by all Vermonters and ensures that every family gets a primary care physician.

Transitional assistance for those coming out of prison:  We must ensure there is a clear path for women out of prison, including providing treatment and guaranteeing that every child of a woman in prison has a mentor.