Reading Room Document

Legality of Funding the Wider Opportunities for Women Program in the Metropolitan Washington Area

This document addresses the legality of funding the Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) program in the metropolitan Washington area under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. The conclusions reached in the document are that Congress has authorized the Secretary of Labor to fund programs designed to assist women in overcoming disadvantages in the labor market. The document also presents questions about the appropriateness of funding the WOW program and the legality of a sexually exclusive program. The document advises revising the administration of the WOW program to include male applicants who can demonstrate comparable disadvantages. The document raises questions about the legality of funding programs directed toward women or members of minority groups, the appropriateness of funding the WOW program, and the legality of a sexually exclusive program. It concludes that Congress has authorized funding for programs designed to assist women in overcoming disadvantages in the labor market, but advises revising the administration of the WOW program to include male applicants who can demonstrate comparable disadvantages.

December 6, 1978