Sheila Bapat

Sheila Bapat

Sheila Bapat is an attorney and writer covering economic and gender justice. Her work has appeared in Jacobin, Salon, Reuters, Slate, Alternet, Truthout, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law, PolicyMatters, and the Center for Women Policy Studies’ series, “Reproductive Laws for the 21st Century.” Sheila holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

The Mother’s Day Myth: How We Thank Moms for Their ‘Free’ Labor

Sheila Bapat

Mother's Day gifts from a child or spouse are sweet, but on a broader level, a genuine celebration of mom’s labor would be if our society ensured her economic security.

Cecily McMillan’s ‘Occupy’ Trial, and the Fight Against Sexual Assault at Protests

Sheila Bapat

Cecily McMillan is now on trial for defending herself at an Occupy Wall Street protest after she felt someone grab her breast. McMillan's decision to fight back—both immediately after she was groped and now, in court—is brave, and sends a powerful message that women should not be blamed for defending themselves.

Businesses Must Improve Their Family Policies—For ‘Distressed Babies’ and All Workers

Sheila Bapat

Increasing support for family policy among lawmakers is encouraging—but what about the commitment of the private sector?

Americans Working Fewer Hours May Not Be a Bad Thing

Sheila Bapat

The Congressional Budget Office's new report found the Affordable Care Act could result in a reduction in workforce participation by approximately two million full-time workers in 2017. Conservative columnists are freaking out, but, even if the right is right, that may not be a bad thing at all.

Food Stamp Allocations Should Take Into Account Where You Live

Sheila Bapat

The federal poverty guidelines, which dictate eligibility of most public benefits, including food stamps, is flawed in that it does not account for variances in cost of living.

Did an Indian Diplomat in the United States Mistreat Her Domestic Worker?

Sheila Bapat

At issue is a divide between the nations about how domestic workers ought to be treated.

The Three Best and Worst Moments for Women’s Economic Status in 2013

Sheila Bapat

Despite a tough year for U.S. women's overall economic status, we have good reason to feel optimistic that the tide may turn in 2014.

Even With the FAMILY Act, Many Families Would Continue to Struggle

Sheila Bapat

Slowly, real efforts to transform the false work-family dichotomy are emerging, both through legislation as well as through employer initiatives. Programs like paid family leave and on-site child care can help working families over the long haul—yet it is rare to find either offered to low-wage workers in this country.

How the Sequester Hurts Low-Income Domestic Violence Survivors

Sheila Bapat

If Congress is unable to meet its December 13 deadline to address the sequester, the struggle for low-income domestic violence survivors to access safe housing will intensify.

Cutting Food Stamps Is Just Bad Policy

Sheila Bapat

Even as a string of recent studies reveal the damaging effect of poverty on children, both Democrats and Republicans seek to cut food stamps, which have been shown to help alleviate poverty.

Sheila Bapat

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