The Commission, in collaboration with the Division on Women (DOW), the Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education in the State Employment and Training Commission, and Rutgers University’s Center for Women and Work, has issued a report titled "Equity for Women in New Jersey: Identifying Needs and Priorities." This report compiles information gathered over two years through surveys and community conversations. The New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women (NJACSW) and DOW have made the report available for a two-week public comment period to capture additional feedback from women throughout the state.
Established in 1974 alongside the Division on Women, NJACSW serves as an advisory body composed of members appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the state Senate. The current membership includes diverse women leaders from various backgrounds. These members joined the Commission two years ago, bringing new energy and ideas aimed at creating a more equitable state for women.
“Periodically, it’s important to take the pulse of the community to learn about the things that are affecting women and their families every day,” said NJACSW Chair Ana Duarte McCarthy. “This information gathering process was made possible thanks to a long list of committed state, local, and community partners that worked together for over two years engaging and listening to thousands of women from across the state. We are so appreciative of their wisdom and ideas.”
The initial phase involved a survey issued in 2022 in multiple languages, which received more than 3,000 responses. To further explore these findings and develop a multi-year action plan, 11 in-person meetings and three virtual community conversations were held throughout the state with participation from 170 women representing 104 partner groups.
“Our work at the Division on Women is wide-ranging, from supporting women to overcome some of the most challenging moments in their lives as survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault, to advocating for and empowering them through linkages to community resources and educational training opportunities that help them strengthen their job skills and become financially self-sufficient,” said NJDCF-DOW Executive Director Anna Martinez. “Working with the Commission and our partners, this survey was integral in our efforts toward inclusivity, community connection, and ensuring we engaged women of diverse cultures and backgrounds, education levels, and economic statuses.”
Some identified priority areas align with ongoing work across state government addressing access to health care, child care, adequate housing, equitable pay, educational opportunities, among other interests.
“One of the main goals of NJSETC-GPC (New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission – Gender Parity Council) is to continuously research workforce readiness to meet shifting labor needs,” said NJSETC Deputy Director Joan Desmarais. “Many participants touched on similar issues. We look forward to working with our partners on exploring strategies that will facilitate greater professional opportunities across communities.”
Overall, the report underscores comprehensive efforts needed to address challenges facing women in New Jersey focusing on both immediate interventions and long-term systemic changes.
“The report provides New Jersey—the state and its local partners—with a snapshot of women's needs and concerns along with solution-based recommendations identified by community partners themselves,” said Glenda Gracia-Rivera from Rutgers Center for Women and Work.
“In our respective roles as DCF-DOW staff and NJACSW members, we are not done yet as we seek comments from those who didn’t participate earlier,” added DOW’s Executive Director Anna Martinez. “We hope to hear from ALL women in NJ to ensure we accurately captured your concerns.”
