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Mission

​​The mission of the Wisconsin Women's Council is to enhance the ability of all Wisconsin women to participate fully and equally in all aspects of life. 

Wis. Stats. 16.01. 

​The Women’s Council is Wisconsin’s statutory commission on the status of women and girls. Established in 1983, the Council promotes initiatives that empower women, serves as a clearinghouse for information on the status of women in the state, conducts independent research, and promotes unique partnerships to further women's economic and social equality and improve this state's tax base and economy. The 15-member Women’s Council is appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders.


STATUTORY AUTHORITY

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Women's council: Wis. Stats. 15.107

There is created a women's council which is attached to the department of administration under s. 15.03. The council shall consist of 15 members. Except as provided in par. (c), all members shall be appointed for staggered 2-year terms.

The council consists of the following members:

  • The governor, or his or her designee.
  • Six public members appointed by the governor, one of whom the governor shall designate as chairperson.
  • Two public members appointed by the president of the senate.
  • Two public members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
  • Two members of the senate, appointed in the same manner as members of standing committees are appointed.
  • Two members of the assembly, appointed in the same manner as members of standing committees are appointed.

Assembly member's and governor's terms. Each member of the assembly serving on the council shall serve for the period of his or her term in office. The governor or his or her designee serving on the council shall serve a 4-year term.

DUTIES
Women's council: Wis. Stats. 16.01​

The women's council shall:

  • Identify the barriers that prevent women in this state from participating fully and equally in all aspects of life.
  • Conduct statewide hearings on issues of concern to women.
  • Review, monitor and advise all state agencies regarding the impact upon women of current and emerging state policies, procedures, practices, laws and administrative rules.
  • Work closely with all state agencies, including the University of Wisconsin System and the technical college system, with the private sector and with groups concerned with women's issues to develop long-term solutions to women's economic and social inequality in this state.
  • Recommend changes to the public and private sectors and initiate legislation to further women's economic and social equality and improve this state's tax base and economy.
  • Disseminate information on the status of women in this state.
  • Submit a biennial report on the women's council's activities to the governor and to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3).

All state agencies, including the University of Wisconsin System and the technical college system, shall fully cooperate with and assist the women's council. To that end, a representative of a state agency shall, upon request by the women's council:

  • Provide information on program policies, procedures, practices and services affecting women.
  • Present recommendations to the women's council.
  • Attend meetings and provide staff assistance needed by the women's council.
  • Inform the agency's appointing authority of issues concerning the women's council.
  • In this section, "agency" means any office, department, agency, institution of higher education, association, society or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law which is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, and any authority created under ch. 231, 233 or 234.