Merced County ranks 52nd out of 58 in the state
SACRAMENTO, CA — On Wednesday, September 4, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls will host a launch event for the latest iteration of the California Women’s Well-Being Index (WWBI) at the Secretary of State Auditorium in Sacramento.
The WWBI is a multifaceted, composite measure that evaluates women’s well-being across California using county-level data across five “dimensions”: Health, Personal Safety, Employment & Earnings, Economic Security, and Political Empowerment. Each dimension is composed of six indicators that have been standardized and combined to create dimension scores, on a scale from zero to 100, for each of California’s 58 counties. The five-dimension scores have been combined to create an overall Women’s Well-Being Index score for each county.
This tool provides vital data for policy-making to improve women’s lives statewide and break down gender barriers in California.
Merced County Ranking & Scores
Merced County ranks 52nd out of the 58 counties in the state with a score of 40.7. Following are the scores in each of the five dimensions as of September 2020:
- Health Dimension 44.8
- Safety Dimension 70.6
- Employment & Earnings Dimension 30.2
- Economic Security Dimension 32.0
- Political Empowerment Dimension 25.8
See the County Fact Sheet which shows the Index and dimension scores, indicator data, and state rankings for Merced County. WWBI Merced County Report
This free event will be the official launch of the newest iteration of the WWBI and the partnership between the Budget Center and the Commission. During the event, experts will present their findings, highlighting specific challenges faced by California women including economic security, access to health care, and representation in elected positions, connecting these issues to actionable public policies emphasizing gender equity. Additionally, a dynamic panel discussion with state leaders and distinguished guests will explore policy solutions to enhance women’s well-being and advance gender equity in California.
Those interested in attending can learn more and RSVP HERE.
About the California Budget & Policy Center:
The California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) is a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit advancing public policies that expand opportunities and promote well-being for all Californians. Learn more at www.calbudgetcenter.org
About the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls:
For nearly 60 years, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has identified and worked to eliminate inequities in state laws, practices, and conditions that affect California’s women and girls. The Commission provides leadership through research, policy and program development, education, outreach and collaboration, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Learn more at women.ca.gov.
| WHAT: | 2024 California Women’s Well-Being Index Launch Event |
| WHO: | Laura Pryor, California Budget & Policy Center Research Director Darcy Totten, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Interim Executive Director Kellie Todd Griffin, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute Founding President & CEO Jacqueline Wong-Hernandez, California State Association of Counties Chief Policy Officer Event attendees, including advocates, commissioners, and community leaders Hosted by the California Budget & Policy Center and California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls |
| WHEN: | Wednesday, September 4, from 1 to 3 p.m |
| WHERE: | Secretary of State Auditorium – 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA |
| MEDIA RSVP: | Please RSVP to Kyra Moeller, [email protected], by Wednesday, September 4 at 10 a.m. |
