Georgia Women’s Policy Institute
Georgia Women's Policy Institute's Fellows at the Georgia State Capitol
The YWCA Greater Atlanta is an affiliate of the YWCA USA, the oldest and largest national women's organization. We are a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for a proactive, multi-issue, state-level policy agenda to improve the lives of women and girls in Georgia.
Our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Greater Atlanta was founded on the campus of Spelman College in 1902. Our very foundation is built upon mobilizing diverse groups of women leaders to identify community problems, advocate for solutions, and create more equitable communities in Georgia.
The Georgia Women’s Policy Institute (GWPI) is the YWCA Greater Atlanta’s Signature leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement training program, where women from diverse backgrounds learn how to develop and support state-level policy proposals. Participants learn the fundamentals of Georgia government as they research, develop, and advocate for state policy to create a more just and equitable Georgia for its women, girls, and families. We encourage more women to get involved in the policy process, as a strategic pathway to creating better public policy.
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Economic Empowerment & Health and Safety
Fellows work on economic/health & safety policies that would help GA women and their families.
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Reproductive Justice
Fellows work on reproductive justice policies that would help GA women and their families.
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Racial Justice
Fellows work on racial justice policies that would help GA women and their families.
YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s 2024 Policy Agenda
Every state legislative session the YWCA Greater Atlanta’s Georgia Women’s Policy Institute follows and advocates for bills that impact the lives of women and girls as they work their way through the legislative process. Click the button to see our Policy Agenda below!
Every week YWCA Greater Atlanta's Advocacy Team sends out a legislative update about life under the Gold Dome during the legislative session. Subscribe today to keep track of our legislative work and how you can advocate for women and families in Georgia!
Because 2023 marked the first year of a two year legislative session, even the bills that did not cross over still have another chance to pass next year. This means there are many opportunities to continue advocating for policy solutions that benefit women and girls in Georgia. Read below to find out how you can join in our advocacy efforts!
HB 565- Increase access to benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients
Our Reproductive Justice GWPI Fellows worked hard to develop and advocate for this bill that would both increase asset limits and eligibility time for TANF recipients. Please contact the sponsors of SB 565 and members of the House Committee on Public Health to thank them for supporting this legislation and tell them you hope it will pass next year!
HB 381- Provides for a right of action for workplace harassment
As members of the Respect GA Worker's Alliance, YWCA advocated for this legislation that will extend workplace protections against harassment to private sector workers in Georgia. Georgia needs a state law that provides clarity on employee and employer responsibilities to ensure respectful workplaces free from discrimination and harassment.
Please contact the sponsors of HB 381 to thank them for advocating for workplace rights and contact members of the House Committee on Judiciary to ask them to support this legislation in 2024!
SB 83- Revision of eligibility for restraining orders to include stalking occurring in the victim's home
A previous GWPI cohort advocated for this legislation that would allow for people who are talked within their own homes to be eligible for a temporary restraining order. Please contact the sponsors of SB 83 to thank them for advocating for the rights of stalking victims. You can also contact the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil to ask them to support this bill next year!
SB 15 and HB 75- The Reproductive Freedom Act
This omnibus bill envisions a Georgia where reproductive rights are enshrined into Georgia law, medically unnecessary abortion restrictions are repealed, and access to abortion care is expanded. We know that this is a long-term goal and are dedicated to working for reproductive freedom for all Georgians. Here are some ways you can get involved: