What Women Want: Good Information, Receptive Candidates

Many women see the political as out there, public, and separate from the everyday, so they continue to be disengaged.

WomenMatter believes that the candidates are generally failing to see the connections between what we women already do and the political process.

Women are already managing healthcare, the environment, and other Life Issues, but they are not regularly presented with the details of healthcare policies, environmental policies, and other Life Issue policies.

WomenMatter is research-based. And according to our research, women don’t want to be told how to vote. Women want the information they need to make an informed decision for themselves. WomenMatter strives to provide women with that information, and the candidates should too.

Approaching women -- linking the personal and the political

Women already know so much about education, health, and security because our gender role encourages us to be educators, caretakers, and guardians, and many of us perform these duties with expertise and pride. We simply need to link our know-how with what we don’t know about the political system.

And as we inform ourselves about politics, it’s essential to examine the party philosophies that drive the policies. Often, the mainstream media does not explain the parties’ positions, but rather discusses an election as if it were a horserace – "Who’s ahead?" "Who do you think will win?"

WomenMatter recognizes that we vote for a party, not just a candidate, and that the political campaign is a chance to understand how each political party conceptualizes our Life Issues.

As Election Day draws near, both parties are furiously chasing the women’s vote. Why? What does this mean for women?

Republican efforts

Republicans are courting women voters because they see them as new supporters.

Women tend to vote Democratic, but this election year, Republicans have identified "security moms," or mothers who are deeply concerned about terrorism, as potential Bush backers.

In the next six weeks before the election, Bush will continue to emphasize security by speaking to women about the danger of terrorism and the plans he has to prevent it. Ladies: he’s talking to you.

Democratic efforts

Democrats are eager to win back women’s votes. Like Bush, Kerry has been trying to appeal to women voters by talking about security, but he is also highlighting healthcare and the economy, issues that also appeal to women.

Some say that the difference in the way that women and men vote, called the gender gap, is due to the parties’ differing philosophies on healthcare and the economy. But since security has eclipsed these issues, the Republican-Democrat-man-woman equation has been scrambled. Has the gender gap disappeared?

In response, Democrats are desperately trying to reconnect with women.

We got what you want

Women need good information that’s easy to access, fair, accurate, and not spinning with spin. Supplying that information is WomenMatter’s goal.

WomenMatter also links women together so that we can dish about the issues in a safe environment. To log onto our online forums, click here. To get information about how to start your own WomenMatter club, click here.

WomenMatter recognizes that most of us are super busy, so sign up for an e alert, and we’ll keep you posted on with the Life Issues that matter most to you.

Women are important to this and every election, so women can help decide what candidates focus on and talk about. Make sure the candidates know what’s important to you. Make sure you register to vote and contact your representatives, because your voice matters.

WomenMatter is dedicated to empowering women to participate in the political process. To donate, click here.

Update Posted on: 9/30/2004