Redwood City – San Mateo County supervisors today directed the County Executive to create a staff position and implement the Action Plan for Women and Children, which aims to create the most equitable community where all women and children can thrive.
The plan addresses gender inequities through four key policy areas: bridging the wealth gap, increasing access to quality child care, preventing domestic violence and expanding reproductive health and health care freedom.
“We anticipate that this staff position and action plan will drive economic prosperity for our whole county,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who sponsored today’s resolution with Supervisor Dave Pine.
“I want to note that these issues are not limited to women. They impact men and people of all genders. By addressing barriers to equity that women themselves have identified, we can make life better for all our residents. For example, we know that every dollar spent on early childhood education yields nearly two dollars in immediate economic benefits directly in our community.”
Women across San Mateo County face systemic, gender-based inequalities, particularly women of color. Of the 18,000 single-parent households in San Mateo County, most are led by women struggling to meet basic needs like housing, child care and transportation.
“We learned many lessons from the pandemic, but one of them was a reminder of the role that women play in our economy and the particular economic challenges they face,” Pine said. “And although child care challenges impact all parents and caregivers, lack of access to quality child care impacts women and women of color the most.”
The County has taken significant steps to implement policies and practices to close the gender pay gap, including signing and implementing the California Equal Pay Pledge and publishing an interactive dashboard.
Despite gains over several decades, the economic health of women still falls short. For every $1 of wealth owned by a single man, for instance, single women own 82 cents while single Black women and Latinas own 9 cents.
“We want someone in this position who will not only recommend policy changes but also hold the county accountable,” Pine said. “It is hoped that creating such a position will help break down the barriers that hold far too many women back.”
Calling for meaningful action to address such disparities, the Commission on the Status of Women in October presented its “Fund the Future” report to the Board. The report recommended steps to create a more equitable and prosperous future with a focus on vulnerable and low-income women.
Those steps are now to be put in motion with the Action Plan for Women and Children, which lays out a road map through four interconnected policy areas:
Bridging the Wealth Gap
- Expand affordable housing options
- Increase participation in programs like CalSavers and CalKIDS to help women build long-term wealth
- Support financial literacy and career pathways programs
Increasing Access to Quality Child Care
- Implement the San Mateo County Child Care Blueprint, a coordinated strategy currently in development and funded by Measure K and philanthropic resources
- Declare child care as an essential safety net
- Improve affordability
Preventing Domestic Violence
- Advocate for domestic violence prevention and survivor advocacy policies
- Coordinate programs and initiatives in the county, including education campaigns, to prevent domestic violence and support survivors through funding shelters and services
- Recommend policies deemed necessary to make the county safer, where people can live free from domestic violence
Expanding Reproductive Health and Health Care Freedom
- Address gaps in funding and access to abortion, gender-affirming care and other critical health services
- Promote awareness campaigns
- Advocate for state and federal legislation to support women’s and gender-affirming health care rights
Key Materials
Staff report on establishing new, full-time staff position.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org