State report highlights progress, challenges for women

Marking the advances women in Delaware have made over the past seven years since its establishment, the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy has released a comprehensive report on the status of women in Delaware.

The Delaware Women Status Report, as mandated by Delaware Code (Title 29 Chapter 9009D), examines the challenges, opportunities and achievements of Delaware women to inform strategies for their empowerment and advancement. Established in 2017 by House Bill 4 during the 149th General Assembly, OWAA operates within the Department of Human Resources. The office promotes equality and equity for women throughout Delaware, fostering collaboration, reporting on women’s status, advising on proposed legislation, and serving as a liaison between government and private-sector groups.

“We know that women in Delaware play important roles leading our families and our communities, and they are a critical part of our economy,” said Gov. John Carney. “Women have made significant strides over the past seven years in owning their own businesses and in receiving state-funded EDGE grants to invest in the development, growth and expansion of their businesses. I am especially proud of the advances women have made in holding public office, being nominated and confirmed as state judges, and serving in the highest positions in state government agencies. We know there is work to do, and I want to thank the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy for providing this status report to guide those next steps.”

Department of Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis said, “We know that women’s issues are family issues, and that far too many of our families still face challenges related to healthcare disparities and the cost of childcare. This status report provides a benchmark to measure our progress in addressing the challenges and opportunities for women in the years and decades to come.”

Drawing from national data sources like the American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, KFF State Health Facts, and Postsecondary Education Data System, along with state resources including the Delaware Health Statistics Center and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, the report covers six key areas related to women: demographic landscape, health and well-being, workforce and economic security, education, safety and leadership.

Key findings of the report include the following:

Women make up 51% of Delaware’s population, and are vital to the state’s cultural, economic and social landscape.

Delaware has made strides in women’s health through comprehensive healthcare initiatives, reducing the uninsured rate of women from 8% to 5.1% over the past decade. However, some racial and ethnic disparities remain, with 27% of Hispanic women reporting the lack of a personal doctor or healthcare provider in 2022, compared with just 8% of all Delaware women. Moreover, the infant mortality rate for Black women (11.0 per 1,000 births) is more three times that of white women (3.4 per 1,000 births). The state is addressing these and other disparities through partnerships with community and health organizations.

Economic growth offers new opportunities, but equitable access to education, employment and affordable childcare is needed, along with addressing wage gaps and underrepresentation in higher-paying roles. In Delaware, 15% of families with children live in poverty, with 63% led by single mothers. Black and Hispanic women earn 61 cents for every dollar earned by white men. High childcare costs – the pre-tax cost of childcare is $11,834 annually per child aged 0-4 – prevent many parents from working, and childcare issues contribute to over $400 million in lost productivity and revenue for the state.

Education drives empowerment, yet despite holding most postsecondary degrees, women still face barriers like gender bias and limited mentorship in academia.

Gender-based violence primarily impacts women; it undermines their well-being and economic security, highlighting the need for policies supporting victims and increasing diversity to enhance safety and awareness. In FY23, there were 2,374 criminal domestic violence incidents resulting in physical injury, with 74% of the victims being female. In 2022, intimate partner violence led to five deaths, including two women.

Delaware women have advanced significantly in leadership roles across government and the General Assembly, underscoring the importance of diverse women leaders for equal opportunity and advancement. For the first time, Delaware’s U.S representative is a woman. The lieutenant governor, state auditor, state treasurer and attorney general are all women, and approximately one-third of the Legislature is female. Key leadership positions in the General Assembly, including speaker of the House, House majority leader, House majority whip and Senate majority whip, are held by women, with three being women of color.

Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy Director Melanie Ross Levin said, “I am proud to release our inaugural report on the status of Delaware women. This report marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to provide a comprehensive, data-driven overview of how women and girls in Delaware are faring across critical areas such as demographics, health and well-being, workforce and economic security, education, safety and leadership. By establishing a baseline, this report not only highlights the progress we’ve made but also underscores the challenges that remain.”

To read the complete report, go to dhr.delaware.gov/women/documents/de-women-0924.pdf.