There’s an interesting discussion going on right now onsite about identity politics and its importance. Interestingly, in that discussion there’s no mention that there’s only candidate who has put together a comprehensive program to advance the rights and needs of women, and that’s Fattah. And it’s pretty well thought out, without promising more than a mayor can reasonably deliver.

Here’s the essence of Fattah’s program for women:

A detailed Domestic Violence agenda, including more shelter space for women with children when there’s a risk of domestic violence, domestic violence counselors at Family Court, and use of technology to have protection of abuse hearings conducted from hospitals;

A commitment to support women for elected office and for appointment to senior policy-making positions in his Administration.

Make Women a Central Part of Fattah's Opportunity Agenda. In implementing his Opportunity Agenda, Mayor Fattah will make expanding the opportunities of women, particularly those in single-parent households a focal point.

Increasing Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunities by insuring that City workers receive equal pay for equal work, and have equal promotion opportunities within the civil service system, and by increasing the number of city contracts held by women owned businesses to 15% from the 2006 percentage of 6.2%.

Enroll Every Expectant Mother in the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. The Fattah Administration will extend the Nurse-Family Partnership to every expectant mother in Philadelphia who needs it. The Partnership provides prenatal care and education to mothers-to-be. After birth, it provides for 52 home visits by a trained nurse, ensuring that infants have all vaccinations, and that families are taking advantage of all available social services.

Focus Public Health Awareness Efforts on Women. Women face unique health risks, and women of color are statistically more likely to contract a number of deadly diseases. By targeting public health awareness campaigns to women, the city can make them aware of the risks they face and what they can do to stay healthy. Additionally, women are more likely to pass on family health education information to children, creating healthier families.

Promoting and Expanding the Community Exchange Program enabling low-income mothers to borrow used items such as cribs, car seats and strollers.

Creation of a Mayor’s Commission on Women’s Issues. This Commission will examine and provide policy recommendations on how to meet the unique needs of women in fields as varied as home health care – which more women face due to longer life expectancy – and prisoner re-entry – a field in which women have been historically under-served though the population of female ex-offenders is surging.

Further details can be found at http://www.phillyforfattah.com/policy_center_detail.asp?service-id=50798...