WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says women and girls have made great strides in the nearly eight years he’s been in office, but adds that more progress is necessary.
Obama also says consumers should patronize the more than two dozen U.S. companies that have pledged to close pay gaps between their male and female employees.
The president has been unable to persuade Congress to pass equal pay legislation, among other measures.
Obama says more family friendly policies, including paid family and sick leave, and affordable child care, would also be helpful.
He commented Tuesday at a daylong, White House-organized summit in Washington on the state of women.