Oregon Women: New Report Details the Challenges

A new report on the state of women in Oregon paints a bleak picture of a community beset by problems including domestic violence, depression and alcoholism.

The report, titled Count Her In, was released by the Women's Foundation of Oregon, whose leaders say it shows a stark difference between the perception of Oregon and the reality.

"We have this perception of ourselves as a progressive state and a great place to live," said Executive Director Emily Evans. "When we dive into the data, we're finding it's incredibly challenging for women and girls in Oregon, more challenging than it is in many, if not most, other states."

Among the report's findings:

• Over 1 million Oregon women and girls have experienced some form of sexual or domestic violence, one of the three highest rates in the nation;
• Poverty rates for women of color in Oregon are twice as high as those of white women;
• Childcare costs in Oregon are among the highest in the nation;
• The wealth gap for Oregon women is among the worst in the nation; and
• Oregon women have the single highest incidence of depression in the entire country.
• Perform 2 billion hours of unpaid caregiving;
• Hold nearly 70 percent of the state’s educational occupations and over 80 percent of the state’s healthcare positions; and
• Donate both time and money at higher rates than both Oregon men and women in most other states.

Women's Foundation of Oregon leaders were in Salem Wednesday meeting with legislative leaders, trying to get them to take five steps:

1. Demand Better Data;
2. Make Decisions with a Gender Lens;
3. Fund Gender-Specific Programs and Services;
4. Embrace Intersectionality; and
5. Find Common Ground.

"There is something hopeful about finally knowing the full measure of the problem," Evans said. "Then we can move past the speculation of whether it is a problem and move toward creating solutions together."