Napolitano for Arizona Governor - Women Plan Policy Paper

The Napolitano Plan for Arizona's Women

From childhood to motherhood, Arizona's women are faced with mounting challenges. Domestic violence, sexual assault, access to healthcare and high dropout rates are but a few of the many issues facing our state.

Our girls, our women, our mothers deserve better. They need better. As Attorney General, I made a commitment to improving the lives of Arizona's women. As Governor, I promise to build on that record by:

Targeting Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
The reality: Domestic violence is the number one violent crime in Arizona.

• Prevention: Educate our children to break the cycle of inter-generation violence
• Response: Increase protection and support services to victims
• Justice: Hold offenders accountable and improve tracking of criminals, heighten inter-agency collaboration, and leverage federal and private grants for major systems reforms

Bringing Health Care And Child Care To All Arizonans
The reality: Arizona ranks among the worst states in number of uninsured women, prenatal care, women receiving breast exams, and immunizations among children.

• Outreach: Work with public health officials and communities to boost health and child care coverage, generate awareness of health issues, and increase immunizations
• Expand AHCCCS and KidsCare: Make quality childcare accessible to Arizona families through information-sharing between state agencies and schools

Educating And Empowering Arizona's Women
The reality: Education is the demarcation line between the have's and the have not's. So it's no surprise that Arizona ranks last nationally in high school drop out rates, among the worst in minority women graduation rates, and 43rd for number of women living in poverty.

• Equal Pay for Equal Work: Partner with businesses to equalize pay for women.
• Planning, Working, Aspiring: Help families plan for and finance college through prepaid tuition fund, early intervention scholarships for at-risk youth, and college work-study program

Addressing Unintended Pregnancies/Protecting Reproductive Rights
The reality: I am a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose. As Governor, I will not allow this right to be eroded. Approximately 49% of all pregnancies are unintended. Abstinence programs are important, but Arizona has the 4th highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation, with Latinas accounting for one-half of all teen mothers.

• Affordable Contraception: Support equity for women in contraceptive health coverage and legislation making emergency contraception more accessible to women who are sexually assaulted
• Education and Mentoring: Make available abstinence, mentoring and stay-in-school programs for teenage girls who are most at-risk of becoming pregnant or dropping out of school

If you would like more information about Janet Napolitano's Plan for Arizona's Women, visit her Web site at www.gojanet.org