SDDP Celebrates International Women’s Day

Sioux Falls, SD (March 8, 2016)-

The South Dakota Democratic Party celebrates International Women’s Day March 8, 2016.

“International Women’s Day is a recognition of our solidarity with women all over the world facing discrimination and obstacles to live a free and healthy life. It is about celebrating our achievements but also understanding there’s still plenty of work left to be completed even in South Dakota. Whether it’s equal pay for equal work or the troubling high rates of infant morality in tribal communities, we have great strides to make to ensure women’s rights,” said Suzanne Jones Pranger, Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.

According to the International Women’s Day website, “The World Economic Forum predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t close entirely until 2133.”

“As the International Women’s Day campaign explains—each of us can be leaders in our own sphere of influence to champion pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. The time to act is now,” Jones Pranger said.

The South Dakota legislature tackled many issues affecting women this session. House Concurrent Resolution 1003, sponsored by Representative Paula Hawks and Senator Angie Buhl O’Donnell, passed through both the House and Senate and recognized the gender wage gap calling for enforcement of equal pay for equal work laws.

However, there were also attacks on women’s rights. HB 1107 sought to protect gender discrimination based on religious grounds. It was eventually tabled by the Judiciary Committee. SB 72 passed through both chambers of the legislature. It restricts medically necessary abortions after 20 weeks. Advocates have called for Governor Daugaard to veto the legislation.

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