AUGUSTA — A new report is highlighting the long-term economic impacts women face because they typically earn less money than men and often shoulder more caregiving responsibilities.

The end result?

“Maine women over 75 live in poverty at twice the rate of men,” according to a report released Thursday by the Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.

The factors leading to reduced income, such as working part-time and caring for children or elderly parents, mean women set aside less money for retirement. And even during their prime working years, women raising children usually earn far less than men, the report shows.

“Moms in Maine earn far less than dads with a median annual earnings gap of almost $20,000,” said Elinor Higgins, executive director of the commission. “That’s significant and these gaps add up over time to have a devastating impact on women’s financial security.”

Higgins, the commission’s first full-time executive director, and others highlighted the report at the State House to continue to keep women’s economic concerns front and center.

Key findings include:

• The labor force participation rate for women is 76.3% compared to 83.6% for men
• When it comes to part-time work, 26% of women work part-time compared to 17% of men
• Statistics show there are 166,000 family caregivers in Maine providing unpaid care that totals nearly $3 billion and most of those caregivers are women.

In terms of the overall gender wage gap, median annual earnings for women are $48,496 compared to $58,619 for men, the report shows.

Commission member Eisha Khan said even when women have a higher level of education, the statistics show it isn’t helping close the wage gap.

“Protective factors such as education, which should be a foundation for progress, fail to translate into equitable socioeconomic outcomes such as higher incomes and financial stability,” she said.

The group suggests improving wages for childcare workers, direct care workers and teachers to help close the gap, since many of those jobs are filled by women. And it recommends improving access to high quality childcare and elder care.

One other issue highlighted in the report is the prevalence of gender-based harassment and discrimination in the workplace. An examination of cases brought to the Maine Human Rights Commission shows nearly one-third of the employment cases are related to sex discrimination or sexual orientation and gender identity.

To tackle those issues, the report suggests making sure the human rights commission and Maine Department of Labor have the funding they need to investigate discrimination claims and help employers develop policies to support workers.

Overall, Maine women make up more than half the population and their economic struggles impact the entire economy, said Anne Gass, commission member.

“Our report on Maine women’s labor and economic security documents the many ways that women support their families and Maine’s economy sometimes in ways that aren’t entirely to their own long-term economic benefit,” she said. “We look forward to working with the Legislature to support Maine women at home and in the workplace to keep Maine thriving.”