Barack Obama and Mitt Romney court female voters during debate

Hempstead, New York: President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are trying to appeal to female voters during the second Presidential debate.

Responding to a question about pay equity for women, Mr Obama notes that the first piece of legislation he signed made it easier for women to seek the same pay as men for doing the same work.

Mr Romney says that as Governor of Massachusetts, his administration had a number of women in senior leadership positions. He says many women have suffered job losses and moved into poverty during Mr Obama's tenure and that creating more jobs would help women.

The President questioned Mr Romney's commitment to women's health care, pointing to the Republican's vow to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood. He calls health care a "pocket book issue" for women and families.