2026 Policy Focus Areas
- Advance gender parity in civic and political representation
- Protect civil and reproductive rights and strengthen economic security
- Address gender-based violence and advance survivor-centered safety
- Support sanctuary city policies that protect and advocate for immigrant communities
2026 Policy Focus Areas
Advance Gender Parity in Civic and Political Representation
Advance policies that remove structural barriers to women’s full participation in civic and political life, including fair and accessible elections, ethical governance, accountability for harassment and discrimination, and pathways for women, particularly women of color, immigrant women, caregivers, and working-class women, to run for office, work in politics, and remain in public life. 2026 is an election year and representation must move from principle to practice.
Example:
- Condition SFWPC endorsements on candidates’ and elected officials’ demonstrated commitment to enforcing anti-harassment, anti-retaliation, and workplace safety standards within their campaigns and offices.
- Support local and state reforms that expand the use of campaign funds and public resources to reflect caregiving and health realities, including flexible use of funds for care, accessibility, and staff support.
- Advance paid internship, fellowship, and staff pipeline programs within City Hall and local campaigns.
- Defend constitutional rights to speech, press, and peaceful assembly, including protections from retaliation for protestors, journalists, educators, and public servants.
- Support policies that strengthen ethics, transparency, and accountability in local governance, including clearer reporting, enforcement mechanisms, and protections for staff and whistleblowers from political harassment, intimidation, and retaliation, including online abuse and workplace discrimination.
Protect Civil and Reproductive Rights and Strengthen Economic Security
Ensure that San Francisco and California continue to serve as strong safeguards against harmful federal policies by protecting civil, reproductive, and democratic rights and by strengthening the housing and economic conditions necessary for full participation in public and political life.
Examples:
- Protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care, including state and local measures that safeguard patients, providers, and helpers from interstate prosecution related to abortion, miscarriage care, or gender-affirming care.
- Strengthen environmental health protections to shield frontline environmental justice communities, especially women, children, and women of color, from toxic chemical and pollution exposures exacerbated by weakened federal safeguards.
- Support housing stability and anti-displacement measures, including tenant protections, eviction prevention programs, and affordable housing funding.
- Advocate for enforcement of fair pay, anti-discrimination, and equal pay laws, recognizing economic stability as essential to women’s ability to live, work, and lead in San Francisco and California.
- Promote access to quality education, especially for first-generation and low-income girls and women, recognizing education as a primary pathway out of generational poverty and a foundation for upward mobility and civic participation.
Address Gender-Based Violence and Advance Survivor-Centered Safety
Support local and state policies that prevent and respond to gender-based violence through survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and non-punitive approaches, ensuring safety, confidentiality, housing stability, and economic security for survivors. Safety is a prerequisite for civic participation and leadership.
Examples:
- Support full funding and oversight of survivor-services, ordinances and programs to ensure services are confidential, accessible, and survivor-centered.
- Support workplace protections, including paid leave, job protection, and reasonable accommodations for safety, medical care, and legal proceedings
- Advocate for safety standards and accountability in public systems including public transit, shelters, prisons and city-funded housing to ensure they protect women, girls, transgender individuals, and nonbinary individuals
Support Sanctuary City Policies that Protect and Advocate for Immigrant Communities
Support local and state policies that protect immigrant women, families, and communities; ensure access to public services without fear; uphold sanctuary protections; and promote language access, due process, and civic inclusion regardless of immigration status. Immigration enforcement pressures directly suppress safety, participation, and political engagement.
Examples:
- Support local and state sanctuary protections and policies that ensure immigrant women and families can access city and state services without fear, including healthcare, housing assistance, education, and survivor services, regardless of immigration status
- Ensure that everyone, regardless of immigration status, can report domestic violence, sexual abuse to local and state law enforcement without fear of deportation or federal retribution.
- Back state and local funding for immigrant legal defense and know-your-rights programs
- Support policies that promote civic inclusion, including protections for immigrant participation in public meetings, commissions, boards, and community decision-making without fear of enforcement