Texas is the second-worst state for women’s equality, according to a recent WalletHub analysis. The Lone Star State ranks poorly for its female residents’ health, education, and political power when compared with the rest of the U.S. It placed above only Utah, which scored even worse for women’s workplace environments, education, and health.
“Ensuring women’s equality requires more than simply giving men and women the same fundamental rights,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe said. “States also need to work to make sure that women receive equal treatment to men when it comes to financial opportunities, education, and politics.”
WalletHub compared gender equality in the 50 U.S. states across three categories: work environments, education and health, and political empowerment. It used metrics like income, average number of work hours, advanced education attainment, medical care affordability, and share of lawmakers.
Hawaii ranked first, highlighted for its equality in income, employment, high school math scores, and congressional representation. California came in second with an equal distribution of high salaries, economic security, and college degrees for women. Minnesota ranked third and had unemployment equality, a low pay gap, and fair representation in Congress.
This isn’t the first women’s equality analysis Texas ranked poorly in. Texas was recently named the second-worst state for women’s health services and reproductive care by research foundation the Commonwealth Fund. It has a low number of maternity care providers, while also being among the states with the highest maternal mortality rates, syphilis infections, and uninsured women of reproductive age.
“Twenty percent of states have not expanded the Affordable Care Act, including populous Texas,” University of Houston professor Elizabeth Gregory told WalletHub. “Expanding health care access to all Americans as a right not a commodity, as well as ensuring the availability of nutritious food and bias-free care for mothers, and all, would lessen the gap.”
Additionally, Texas has disparities within its women’s health issues. Black Texans face higher reproductive health issues and barriers to care, while Hispanic Texans are disproportionately impacted by the state’s reproductive health care policies. This leads to higher birth rates, reduced access to birth control, and more confusion about state law in the population.
In conclusion, Texas has a long way to go in terms of achieving gender equality for its female residents. By addressing issues related to health services, education, and political empowerment, the state can work towards creating a more equitable environment for women. It is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize these issues and implement necessary changes to improve the overall well-being and opportunities for women in Texas.