National polls show a significant gender gap in the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, with Clinton holding a large lead among women and Trump leading among men.
Here’s a look at their positions on some issues with a major impact on women:
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ABORTION
Clinton favors abortion rights and supports Planned Parenthood, a leading abortion provider which also offers a range of other health services. Trump, who once backed abortion rights, now describes himself as “pro-life” and says he would seek to appoint Supreme Court justices who would consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to abortion.
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CHILD CARE
Both candidates propose tax relief for child care costs. Trump’s plan provides for a new income tax deduction for child care expenses, other tax benefits and a new rebate or tax credit for low-income families. Clinton says no family should spend more than 10 percent of its income on child care and has called for child-care subsidies and tax relief offered on a sliding scale.
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FAMILY LEAVE
Clinton calls for 12 weeks of government-paid family leave to care for a new child or seriously ill family member, which she says would be paid with higher taxes on the rich. Trump proposes six weeks of leave for new mothers, with the government paying wages equivalent to unemployment benefits. His plan would not cover fathers.
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MINIMUM WAGE
In some respects, the debate over raising the minimum wage is a women’s issue, given research indicating that nearly two-thirds of minimum wage earners are women. Clinton supports raising the minimum wage at least to $12 an hour. Trump says he supports an increase to $10, but thinks states should “really call the shots.” The federal minimum wage now is $7.25.
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PAY EQUITY
Clinton backs legislation forcing businesses to disclose gender pay data to the government for analysis; the bill would allow women to seek punitive damages for discrimination. Trump says working moms should be “fairly compensated,” but hasn’t emphasized the issue of a gender pay gap.
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