FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A new report published by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington D.C. with the assistance of University of Arkansas political scientist Janine Parry demonstrates that the status of Arkansas women has improved slightly in some areas over recent years but experienced setbacks in others.

According to the 2000 IWPR report "The Status of Women in the States," Arkansas women ranked 39th in political participation, 50th in employment and earnings, , and 43rd in health and well-being. Recent data shows these rankings have improved to 31st, 47th, and 38th respectively for 2002.

"The gains women have made in these areas are encouraging," said Parry, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Arkansas and the chair of a state advisory committee on the subject in 2000. "But they are far too modest and still place us near the back of the pack, a place Arkansans are weary of occupying."

According to the report, Arkansas’s rankings slipped in the areas of social and economic autonomy - from 50th in 2000 to 51st in 2002 - and reproductive rights - from 32nd in 2000 to 42nd in 2002.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research released the updated version of "The Status of Women in the States" today. It represents the fourth report in a series aimed at measuring the quality of life for women in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

These benchmark studies are compiled using government and original data that reveal how women in each state stand economically, how the state stacks up nationally on reproductive rights, women's political participation, health risks, domestic violence legislation and child support, among other indicators.

"Continued attention to evaluating the status of women economically, politically and socially will ultimately benefit ourselves, our daughters and our society," said Dr. Heidi Hartmann, President and CEO of IWPR. "Women have made tremendous progress, but there's a lot more to do, and we need to keep working on it."

Hartmann founded IWPR in 1987 as a nonprofit public policy research organization dedicated to informing and stimulating the debate on public policy issues of critical importance to women and their families. The organization focuses on issues that affect women’s daily lives, including employment, earnings and economic change; democracy and society; poverty, welfare and income security; work and family policies; and health and safety. It is located in Washington, D.C.

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NOTE TO REPORTERS AND EDITORS: For a free copy of "The Status of Women in the States" or any of the state reports, call Katie O'Neill at (202)785-5100.