Technology

US Promotes Birth Incentives, But Fails Mothers: New Report Reveals Stark Wage Gaps Ahead of Mother’s Day

Published

12 months ago

May 1, 2025

While political leaders debate pronatalist policies, new IWPR data shows the US economy isn’t built to support the mothers we already have—moms are penalized with lower pay in every state.

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As the nation gears up to celebrate Mother’s Day, a new report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) confronts the harsh economic reality facing American moms. Timed to coincide with Mother’s Day—and gaining added relevance amid a growing national conversation around motherhood—IWPR’s 2025 Mom’s Equal Pay Day report reveals that mothers remain deeply undervalued where it counts most—in their paychecks. Across the country, moms still face staggering wage penalties, earning far less than fathers, with some making less than half as much, especially if they are Black, Latina, or Native American.

“This Mother’s Day, a bouquet of flowers won’t cut it,” said Taylor. “If we truly want to honor moms—especially the ones we already have—we need policy, not platitudes.”

“This should be a moment to celebrate and uplift mothers, and the multitude of roles they play inside and outside of our homes,” said Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, president and CEO of IWPR. “Instead, the data show that we’re systematically devaluing their work—both paid and unpaid.”

Despite rising workforce participation—nearly 74 percent of moms with children under 13 were employed or actively seeking work in 2024—mothers earned just 61.8 cents for every dollar paid to fathers in 2023. Across all 50 states and DC, at least half of all mothers worked full-time year-round. And even when doing so, the gap improves only slightly, to 74.3 cents—a $19,000 annual income loss.

IWPR ‘s state-level analysis depicts just how deep the gaps run (see full state-level data here):

Utah mothers earned just 43.9 cents per dollar—the widest gap in the country.Louisiana mothers working full-time year-round earned only 62.1 cents per dollar.In DC, mothers earned the most ($80,000), but still $45,000 less than fathers—the largest dollar gap in the US.Only Vermont and Rhode Island paid full-time working mothers more than 80 cents per dollar compared to fathers.

The gaps are even more severe for mothers of color:

Latina mothers earned just 42.7 cents per dollar compared to White fathers.In New Jersey, the gap was even worse—just 29.8 cents on the dollar.Native American and Black mothers consistently earned less than half of what White fathers earned, even with full-time work.

The report arrives on the heels of last month’s Department of Health and Human Services cuts to critical maternal and child health programs—and amid new proposals from the Trump administration to offer cash bonuses to married parents as a response to the country’s declining birth rate. But IWPR researchers say these pronatalist policies miss the point and, without structural reforms, ignore the real costs of parenting.

“You can’t bonus your way out of a birth rate crisis when motherhood comes with a $19,000 pay cut,” said Taylor. “The economy for parents is broken—and we’re failing the very people that we expect to grow it.”

IWPR calls for urgent policy action to tackle the root causes of the motherhood penalty:

Paid family and medical leaveAffordable, accessible child careFair scheduling and workplace protectionsEnforcement of pay equity and salary transparencyAccess to comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care

“This Mother’s Day, a bouquet of flowers won’t cut it,” said Taylor. “If we truly want to honor moms—especially the ones we already have—we need policy, not platitudes.”

You can read the full report and state-by-state earnings data here.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women’s power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.

Media Contact

Chandler Rollins, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 314-610-0896, rollins@iwpr.org, https://iwpr.org/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/us-promotes-birth-incentives-but-fails-mothers-new-report-reveals-stark-wage-gaps-ahead-of-mothers-day-302443729.html

SOURCE Institute for Women’s Policy Research

Technology

2026 Vietnam-China Cross-Border Tourism AI Empowerment Cooperation Exchange Program Concludes in Nanning

Published

3 hours ago

April 19, 2026

NANNING, China, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from china-asean-media.com.

The 14-day “2026 Vietnam-China Cross-Border Tourism AI Empowerment Cooperation and Exchange Program” successfully concluded on April 19 in Nanning, Guangxi. Co-hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) and the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang provinces (Vietnam), the event brought together nearly 30 tourism officials and industry representatives from the four Vietnamese localities.

With the theme “Vietnam-China AI + Cross-Border Tourism Exchange and Cooperation,” the program combined expert lectures, case studies on AI applications, and field visits. Participants gained insights into ASEAN-China tourism policies, AI-driven cross-border cooperation models, and smart tourism technologies. Hands-on training enabled them to use AI tools for decision-making, product development, and destination branding.

The delegation conducted field studies in Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, and Hechi. They visited the China-ASEAN AI Innovation and Cooperation Center, the “Easy Visit Guangxi” platform, the No. Wang Cultural Industrial Park, and the BAO JUN base, experiencing Guangxi’s smart, industrial, landscape, and wellness tourism offerings.

A meaningful part of the program was retracing President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary footsteps in Guangxi, including visits to the former site of Yucai School in Nanning, the former residence of Ho Chi Minh in Liuzhou, and the “September 2” School site in Guilin. On April 17, all participants attended the launch ceremony of the 2026 Vietnam-China Border People’s Carnival in Nanning, witnessing the deep friendship and mutual support between the border communities of both nations.

At the closing ceremony on April 18, a cross-border tourism product design competition was held. The team from Quang Ninh won the Best Design Award, while teams from Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang received Excellence Awards. Mr. Lưu Bá Mạc, Vice Director of Lang Son’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, praised the program for fostering practical cooperation and opening new directions for the “comrades and brothers” friendship between local authorities.

The program not only provided Vietnamese tourism professionals with valuable knowledge in AI and smart tourism but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation in building shared tourism information platforms, developing smart products, and enhancing data connectivity. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry through AI, contributing to the strategic Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/2026-vietnam-china-cross-border-tourism-ai-empowerment-cooperation-exchange-program-concludes-in-nanning-302746589.html

SOURCE china-asean-media.com

Technology

TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

LAHORE, Pakistan, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL Solar made a strong impact at this year’s Solar Pakistan exhibition (17th-19th April, at Expo Centre Lahore) by unveiling a range of advanced solar solutions designed to meet the growing demand for low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

The new T5 Pro solar module represents a major leap in N-type TOPCon technology, delivering breakthroughs in both conversion efficiency and power output. It is designed to be the new flagship product in the industry, offering enhanced performance and long-term value.

Key Highlights of the T5 Pro:

A unique product design: The T5 Pro specificity remains in its design architecture, with an overlapping tri-cut cell construction. This innovative structure significantly boosts the module’s performance, ensuring superior output and higher energy yield.

Product Reliability: The T5 Pro’s low-current technology ensures precise temperature control, with hotspot temperatures up to 45°C lower than conventional modules. This reduces the risk of fire hazards and improves overall module longevity. The module has also passed rigorous reliability tests, making it ideal for diverse applications, including commercial rooftops and ground-mounted power stations.

Customer Value: By enhancing energy generation and reducing project lifecycle costs, the T5 Pro provides a high return on investment for both residential and commercial solar applications.

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module: Optimized for C&I Rooftops

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module addresses the specific challenges faced by commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, particularly in areas with limited load-bearing capacity.

Improved Power Output: Weighing only 5.4 kg/m², these modules generate 3-6% more power compared to traditional TOPCon modules, offering a highly efficient solution for weight-sensitive environments.

Superior Heat Dissipation: The ultra-thin glass design enhances heat dissipation, lowers operating temperatures and reduces overall weight and making the modules ideal for aging rooftops or structures with limited structural integrity.

Building on the momentum at Solar Pakistan 2026, TCL SOLAR and TAIMOOR TRADING CO. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a key step in advancing solar energy solutions. This partnership aims to expand clean power access and drive sustainable development across Pakistan and beyond, with a shared focus on innovation and a low-carbon future.

Focusing on innovation, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact, TCL Solar continues to lead the way in solar technology in Pakistan and across the region, providing solutions that meet today’s energy needs while enabling measurable emissions reductions across the energy value chain.

As Pakistan embraces renewable energy, TCL Solar’s cutting-edge technologies will help drive the growth of low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tcl-solar-powering-pakistan-with-advanced-solar-module-innovation-302746579.html

SOURCE TCL Solar

Technology

TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Key Highlights of the T5 Pro:

Customer Value: By enhancing energy generation and reducing project lifecycle costs, the T5 Pro provides a high return on investment for both residential and commercial solar applications.

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module: Optimized for C&I Rooftops

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module addresses the specific challenges faced by commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, particularly in areas with limited load-bearing capacity.

Improved Power Output: Weighing only 5.4 kg/m², these modules generate 3-6% more power compared to traditional TOPCon modules, offering a highly efficient solution for weight-sensitive environments.

As Pakistan embraces renewable energy, TCL Solar’s cutting-edge technologies will help drive the growth of low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tcl-solar-powering-pakistan-with-advanced-solar-module-innovation-302746579.html

SOURCE TCL Solar