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.
We asked: What are the biggest challenges, obstacles or barriers that you and other women face outside of work?
“Access to health care and the right to make decisions about our own bodies are fundamental, yet OB-GYN care in Iowa has been deteriorating. According to the Des Moines Register, a third of Iowa’s 99 counties are considered maternity care deserts — meaning they lack OB-GYNs, birthing hospitals or birthing centers. Furthermore, with the rollback of DEI efforts, the erosion of transgender rights and the potential loss of vaccine options, it’s clear that Iowa is no longer prioritizing the well-being of its people, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community.”
“I am not a woman, but I feel the factors influencing inflation are a barrier for all of us. The rising food prices. The fluctuation in fuel prices. The cost of day care. The lack of affordable housing. These are all barriers that need to be addressed.”
“I believe the single largest factor we face is centered on work-life balance as it relates to societal procreation. Assuming we desire to perpetuate our species, how will we create a more fairly balanced role assignment? Whoever chooses that role is faced with some level of ‘work outside the home’/career participation. I think it’s pretty fair to say women still have the unique gift of bearing them, but ‘who will attend to the needs of child raising’ is still a challenge for many to resolve.”
“Once again, being taken seriously as a young woman. At the doctor’s office, at the bank, any place where there could potentially be a power imbalance (which is essentially every walk of life right now). I have to constantly worry about how I am being perceived and the energy I am putting off – if I try to command more attention, I am a pushover or bossy.”
“Health care disparities. Heart attacks get dismissed, we’ve lost OB-GYN providers en masse, and gynecological oncologists are nonexistent. Mammograms are unavailable to those in walkers or wheelchairs.”
“Work-life balance of being a mother and a professional is a real challenge that I’ve observed and supported my wife on as she navigates societal expectations.”
“Expectations to do it all! You need to be good at everything or you have the feeling you are failing. Good employee, good spouse and a good mom.”
“Nothing. If women put their mind and energy toward their dreams and goals, nothing is impossible.”
“Affordable and quality health care and OB-GYN care. Women are viewed as second-class citizens because we simply are still not allowed to make decisions about our own bodies due to laws that the Iowa governor and government put into place. Finding quality and affordable child care. Being able to afford housing.”
“Outside the workplace, men often lack accountability in respecting women’s needs, opinions and aspirations. They may not feel obligated to take women seriously or afford them the same credibility, regardless of their roles or status in society.”
“Viewed as immaterial due to age or gender.”
“Being the default parent. Household manager. Finding child care. Scheduling transportation and other activities for kids, ensuring homework is done, etc. It’s another full-time job. The guilt of being not good enough at work and not good enough at home. The balance sucks. Always the one who solves problems. Money. Inflation and cost of living. Being one more hardship away from financial ruin. Being crazy in debt while still making money. Cost of student sports. Dealing with technology.”
“Balancing fitting in with society with being their most authentic self.”
“The struggle between parental care and child care. Things like driving my mom to the doctor in the morning, working a full day, then picking my fifth grader up from a practice in the evening.”
“Our loss of basic bodily autonomy should have all of us out protesting in the streets. Women’s reproductive decisions are essential health care, and when our businesses allow the state and our health insurance companies to make decisions for us on those matters, it sends a strong message that we are not respected as individuals and as equals.”
