Women’s Groups Say Fatherhood Program Discriminates

Two advocacy groups are challenging the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, a $50-million federal program that provides funds and training to groups that help fathers, on the basis that it discriminates against women, reports The Washington Post.

The programs often include training on job and parenting skills, educational development, and substance-abuse treatment, and are meant to encourage family stability.

In a complaint filed with the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Organization for Women and Legal Momentum cite 34 fatherhood programs that allegedly do not provide similar services to women.

“What we’re asking them to do is to make sure that the grantees provide equal services to women and men,” said Kathy Rodgers, president of Legal Momentum. “It should be a parenthood initiative.”

Officials and grant recipients counter that the services are available to any parent, regardless of gender, and that the program aims to help the entire family, not just the fathers.

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