COMPILED BY EMILY BARSKE WOOD AND MACEY SHOFROTH

This coverage is from the Business Record’s annual survey on women’s and gender issues as part of our Fearless initiative. While nonscientific, we believe the results of this questionnaire illustrate current opinions about Iowa women’s equity in and outside of work. Read previous coverage here. 

In the past five years, do you feel women have made significant progress in obtaining gender parity in politics?

Overall average:

Yes: 52%

No: 48%

Percentages of just respondents who identify as women or nonbinary: 

Yes: 42%

No: 58%

Percentages of just respondents who identify as men:

Yes: 86%

No: 14%

“We’ve seen more women be vocal and a part of the conversation.”

“Women in elected positions of leadership have become accepted in their communities. Women have been effective in carving their rightful places in public policy and shaping policy.”

“Despite other bleak headlines, I’ve noticed more and more states and cities electing women mayors, governors and representatives. Virginia just elected its first female governor ever, and this is coming from a state that refused to ratify the 19th Amendment until 1952!”

“Women have been stuck at about 30% of elected officials nationwide for a couple decades. Iowa’s percentage of women in the state Legislature has grown, but more slowly than other states, meaning it’s comparatively worse off than other states.”

“Any gender that can lie and have rich donors will rise in politics.”

“With the rights of our body continuing to be removed and harder to access, I struggle to see any progress that has been made.”

“Many talented, high-ranking women selected for their experience and ability, currently serving in the federal administration. Kim Reynolds has been a well respected and successful governor of Iowa.”

“Kamala Harris, first female VP, was progress, but she was judged differently and more harshly than a man would have been.”

“Past five years, absolutely not. Last six months is looking up. The hardest to stomach is women in politics who support policies that don’t support women and children. Even worse is women who support men who blatantly abuse women by their policies.”

“Over the past five years, more women have run for and been elected to political office, and women’s voices are increasingly present in policy discussions and leadership roles. This reflects growing awareness of the importance of representation and the value women bring to governance and decision-making. However, women — particularly women with caregiving responsibilities and women from underrepresented communities — continue to face structural barriers such as fundraising challenges, gender bias, unequal media scrutiny and expectations around family roles that men are far less likely to encounter. As a result, women remain underrepresented at many levels of government, especially in senior leadership positions.”

“There may be more women serving in politics, but I feel again, their success is often correlated to their ability to act masculine or align with values that don’t address caregiving.”

“We see examples of female leadership among mayors, county supervisors, at the state and federal levels. I was active in groups like 50-50 in 2020 that worked to achieve this goal, and it has happened.”

“Iowa gutted its gender balance law and that changed how women are appointed to boards and commissions.”

What changes to governmental policies or legislation would help improve gender equity?

“Equity in pay and child care assistance.”

“More women in elected positions.”

“Unsure of anything specific. If a recent review of relevant employment and compensation-related issues has not been undertaken, this is a starting point.” 

“Let women decide on their own medical care! Support women entering male-dominated fields like STEM.”

“Men’s rights now need to be prioritized as young men are floundering.”

“Providing health care at an affordable rate with comprehensive coverage.”

“Again, this is an assumption there is gender inequity.” 

“Relook at what we regulate and why we only write laws/policies to regulate women. If we are working on policies and we don’t have women at the table, stop. Get them to the tables for equal or great representation.”

“Beneficial policies shouldn’t be erased or punished for fear of fraud, rampant DEI hiring and unqualified workers. A few terrible stories quickly eclipse all the quiet good! There should also be a stronger push towards separation of church and state. Each person should be able to live their life the way they choose within guidelines that fit society as a whole. Most people agree that murder and stealing are bad, that people below a certain age are children unable to make adult decisions, and so on. Beyond a core system of rules, everyone makes their own choices based on their own moral code and they should be allowed to do so. In the same vein, more science and research should be brought into governance, which in turn supports women in leadership and workspaces.”

“Ending legislation on anything related to our bodies and health, which should only be decided by us and our providers; establish laws for pay transparency, more parental leave, a significantly higher minimum wage.” 

“Bring back DEI.”