FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021
Contact: media@napawf.org

WASHINGTON —  Ahead of President Biden’s address to Congress, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, the leading organization advocating for Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls, welcomed the administration’s proposed investments in children and families and continues to call on the president to fulfill campaign promises to AAPI immigrants by prioritizing access to health care and reproductive care for immigrant women.

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement:

“The president’s new proposal focuses on what we know Congress needs to prioritize: lifting up all families and meeting some of their most basic needs. We’re encouraged to see the Biden administration emphasize early childhood programs, affordable child care, and paid family leave, particularly important resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women. Many AAPI women know all too well the daily reality of trying to make ends meet at work and in school, all while serving as their family’s primary caretaker. While these family support plans are encouraging, we also would like to see the President address the issue of affordable and accessible health care for immigrant women and families. 

“As immigrants and women of color, many AAPI women have also borne the brunt of the public health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as essential workers while federal legislation largely excluded immigrants from receiving relief. As the fastest-growing voting group in the country, the 2020 election turnout of AAPI women helped secure President Biden’s margin of victory. 

“Everyone in our communities deserves to access health care and resources to provide for their families, regardless of their immigration status. During the Biden administration’s next 100 days, we look forward to continuing to work with the administration to make immigrant access to care a reality for immigrant women and families. We expect the president to uplift our communities and listen to the demands of AAPI women who turned out to vote for him in record numbers in 2020.”

AAPI women, according to NAPAWF’s recent landmark study, reported historic turnout for the 2020 presidential election at 69%, much higher than the national turnout rate. Many respondents identified as first-time voters. The study further found that the top concern for three in every four AAPI women is access to affordable health care. The poll, which was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of NAPAWF, is the largest survey of AAPI women ever conducted.

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The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, progressive, community organizing and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build collective power so that all AAPI women and girls can have full agency over our lives, our families, and our communities.