We call for equal representation of men and women in all spheres of society including economic and political. We support all efforts to end sexual harassment and job discrimination based on gender. Within the Missouri Green Party, we encourage leadership and candidacies by both men and women. We encourage our own members to end their own discriminatory attitudes and practices.

We believe that raising a family and earning a living can be mutually compatible. We encourage efforts to reshape working environments so that all types of families are nurtured and supported.

We believe that women have the right to full reproductive freedom. They have the right to choose the degree of technological intervention--including midwifery, home childbirth, birth control methods, and abortion--that they deem necessary for their own care and protection. Women need access to education so that they can make informed decisions about their own health and future and family planning services regardless of their ability to pay.

To end the cycle of violence against women in our society, we must challenge the attitudes that allow it to continue. Many women in our society are beaten, verbally and emotionally abused, raped, and murdered because segments of the society hold women's lives cheaply. We support those who challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices that are found at all levels in education, the media, the workplace, politics and government, personal relationships, and other areas of our society.

We support:

• Legislation and regulations that end job discrimination based on gender and promote equal pay for comparable work.
• Penalties for sexual harassment.
• The adoption of a family rights bill that provides maternity and illness leave for both parents.
• Community involvement and responsibility for child-care services and family health care.
• The rights of women to make their own choices regarding their own reproduction according to their own values and needs.
• The creation and maintenance of institutions that foster positive attitudes toward women to end the cycle of violence against women.
• Public funding for strategies that end violence against women.