“Often, policies differ based on state laws or employer-based insurance coverage, but according to the non-profit National Partnership for Women and Families, just 19 percent of workers in the U.S. have access to paid family leave through their employers. A survey conducted by the NPWF found that 84 percent of U.S. voters support a national paid family and medical leave policy that covers all working people to care for a new child; a seriously ill, injured or disabled loved one; or their own health issue.”

According to a fact sheet produced by the National Partnership for Women & Families, if this gap were to be eliminated it would mean that the average income for Black women would increase by $23,074 annually. That’s money that could cover rising costs of healthcare, housing, food, and childcare.

“Enhancing the quality of pay data is an essential step to ensuring all workers’ rights, but is particularly necessary because women and workers from communities of color continue to face significant pay disparities,” said Jocelyn C. Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

“The work of women of color, in particular, has been persistently devalued for decades. For example, National Partnership research shows that Latinas make just 49 cents for every dollar white, non-Hispanic men are paid — the equivalent of two years of rent.”