Two-term state House representative Catherine Ceips was tapped this week to chair the South Carolina House Republican Women's Caucus.

The caucus, which includes seven Republican women in the 124-member House, lobbies for issues important to women and provides scholarships to high school seniors. Leadership of the caucus is selected by a vote of the seven women.

There are 13 women serving in the state legislature, or about 7.6 percent of the 170 seats. Nationwide, women make up an average of 22.5 percent of state legislators, according to the non-partisan National Foundation of Women Legislators.

Ceips, R-Beaufort, who was first elected to office in 2002 and will be up for re-election in November, said more women need to be involved in the legislative process to provide a different perspective.

"We're making great strides for women in leadership," she said Wednesday. "That's something we hope to encourage."

Ceips has worked to champion legislation supported by the caucus and has served in different leadership roles with the National Foundation of Women Legislators.

A bill Ceips introduced last year would increase penalties for human trafficking, attacking sex enslavement that she says has seeped into South Carolina.

"It's happening all around us, but you're not aware of it," she said.

The bill would create penalties of up to 15 years in prison for forced labor or sexual services through threatened physical or financial harm.

The bill had 44 cosponsors before receiving approval from the House in April, and it is now under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Last week, Ceips introduced legislation that would allow a victim of criminal domestic violence to apply for an emergency permit to carry a concealed weapon.

"It empowers women to protect themselves," she said.

The bill was sent to the House Judiciary Committee for review.