What’s at Stake Today
In many historically male fields it can be very difficult for women to get entry-level jobs, much less build lasting careers. Sexual harassment and hostility, lack of mentors and dangerous stereotypes about women’s supposed capabilities all lead to unequal access to certain jobs — which often results in lower pay for women who are shut out of these higher-paying fields.
What Is NWLC Doing?
By increasing women’s participation in high-wage, high-skill fields, we can help close the wage gap and increase economic security for women and their families.
We’re working to draw attention to the obstacles women face entering and staying in non-traditional fields and to the affirmative action practices that can help increase their numbers.
The low percentage of women in non-traditional fields is driven by discrimination that starts in education programs and continues all the way up the employment chain, so we also work with federal agencies to improve training opportunities for women and fight employment discrimination.