Since 2005, the Southwest Women’s Law Center has advocated for New Mexico’s women and girls.
In that time we have beaten back numerous and continued challenges to New Mexico’s women’ and girls’ right to determine if, when and how they will have a child; have assisted in the passage of laws that guarantee pay equity for women and guarantee comprehensive medical insurance coverage of contraceptives, to name just a few. We give voice to those who feel they are not being heard and empower women to stand up for their rights. We advocate our State Legislature to enact new laws or to amend the law to make improvements. We also work with partners, collaborators, and with local businesses to make social changes that impact women and families, and we also advocate in the courtroom to make a system impact for women.
We work to harness the power of law, research, and creative collaborations to change the harsh realities and to create greater opportunities for women and girls in New Mexico to fulfill their personal and economic potential.
SWLC
Economic Security and Workplace Rights
Southwest Women’s Law Center is dedicated to fighting for policies that ensure economic security for New Mexico women and families. Unfortunately, too many women live paycheck-to-paycheck, facing poverty and unstable working conditions. We know that some simple protections could lift women out of poverty and enable them to create economically stable households for themselves and their families. Currently, Southwest Women’s Law Center is working on two legislative initiatives to promote economic security: Paid Family and Medical Leave Act and the Pregnant Worker Accommodation Act.
Reproductive Rights
Reproductive rights—having the ability to decide whether and when to have children—are important to women’s socioeconomic well-being and overall health.;. The Southwest Women’s Law Center advocates for choice. We provide input on federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies that provide women and girls with a choice.
Health and Safety
Domestic abuse and sexual assault statistics in New Mexico are steep. The Southwest Women’s Law Center has helped identify a gap in NM laws to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to not only protect victims at work but help them access resources outside of work.
