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Department on the Status of Women
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Mayor Gavin Newsom Emily M. Murase, Executive Director
SAN FRANCISCODEPARTMENT ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN NEWSLETTER A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION
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Winter 2009 |
Vol. 2 Issue 1 |
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2009 Service Directories Released Women’s Policy Roundtable Promotes Budget Advocacy Commission Welcomes New Commissioner
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Programs: President Obama Pledges to Ratify CEDAW SF Gender Equality Principles Initiative Moving Forward San Francisco Takes the Lead Nationally on Gender Budgeting
Cell Phones Increase Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors Anti-Human Trafficking Service Providers to Convene in February Report on Family Violence is First of its Kind
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Upcoming Commission Meetings Upcoming Events and Public Meetings Community Calendar
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2009 Service Directories Released The Department has released the 2009 Directory of Social Services for Women in San Francisco! The directory contains over 250 agency listings in a variety of categories, including counseling, shelter and housing, substance abuse, youth services, and many more. A limited number of printed copies are available to be picked up at the Department at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 130. Additionally, you can browse the listings by category or name on the Department website, www.sfgov.org/dosw. Just follow the link for “Resources.” The Department offers special thanks to the Department of Public Health for supporting the printing of this valuable tool for service providers and the public.
Women’s Policy Roundtable Promotes Budget Advocacy The Department will be organizing a series of Women’s Policy Roundtables to continue the work begun by women leaders at the September 2008 Women’s Policy Summit. Summit participants identified economic empowerment as a priority. In these challenging financial times, programs serving San Francisco’s women are being cut, hindering their ability to support themselves and their families. On February 10, 2009, 8:30 am – 11:00 am, the Department will host the first Women’s Policy Roundtable on the City’s Budgeting Process. Speakers include Monique Zmuda, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Office of the Controller, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst Gigi Whitley of the Mayor’s Budget Office, and a special welcome by Supervisor Carmen Chu. Space is limited, so please RSVP to dosw@sfgov.org.
Commission Welcomes New Commissioner In January 2009, the Commission on the Status of Women welcomed Barbara Sklar as the newest Commissioner appointed by Mayor Newsom. Commissioner Sklar is an artist, a former president of the Art Commission, and an advocate for international human rights. Her background and expertise will certainly provide valuable insight and perspective for the Commission as a whole. Find a Commission roster and meeting schedule at the end of this newsletter.
PROGRAMS
President Obama Pledges to Ratify CEDAW President Barack Obama has made women’s human rights a priority for his new administration. In November 2008, then-President-Elect Obama pledged to restore the international standing of the United States by pushing for the ratification of several United Nation’s treaties, specifically mentioning the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Known as the Women’s Human Rights Treaty, CEDAW has been ratified by 185 countries since 1979. The United States remains one of just eight countries that have not.
In 1998, San Francisco made history as the first municipality in the world to adopt a local ordinance reflecting the principles of the Women’s Human Rights Treaty. The Commission and Department on the Status of Women have become internationally-recognized leaders in this work over the past 11 years. Notably, the Department’s innovative work has been highlighted at the annual U.N. Conference of the Americas in November 2007 and again in November 2008. With President Obama’s pledge to push for ratification, which requires a 2/3 vote of the U.S. Senate, the expertise we have developed here in San Francisco will be needed more than ever as we work to expand the human rights of women across the United States.
SF Gender Equality Principles Initiative Moving Forward Since the 1998 adoption of the Women’s Human Rights Ordinance here in San Francisco, the Department has worked successfully to promote gender equality in City departments. In 2007, we partnered with the Washington, D.C.-based asset management firm Calvert Group Ltd. and the labor rights non-profit Verite to develop ways to bring our award-winning gender analysis tool to businesses in the City. To date, 16 businesses have signed on to help develop a set of benchmarks and indicators that assess gender equality in their corporation, including Deloitte, McKesson, Symantec, Williams-Sonoma, and other leaders in the field. In January 2009, the Department hosted the 2nd in a series of roundtables that engaged representatives from these companies in thought-provoking discussions about the issue of gender equality in the workplace. To view a draft of the benchmarks that are being discussed, visit the Department’s website at www.sfgov.org/dosw.
San FranciscoTakes the Lead Nationally on Gender Budgeting In times of fiscal uncertainty and cutbacks, it becomes more important than ever to maintain a safety net for the most vulnerable in society. A vital step in doing this is analyzing the budgetary decisions being made by City departments. Like the Gender Analysis tool the Department used to analyze the 2003-04 budget cuts, Gender Responsive Budgeting requires an in-depth look at a department’s constituents and staff to ensure that no one group is disproportionately affected by budgetary decisions. The Department has trained City officials in Fulton County, GA (Atlanta) on this valuable tool, and now looks forward to our own City implementing similarly progressive measures by asking all City departments to analyze the impact of the proposed FY09-10 reductions in terms of gender, race, disability status, LGBTQ identity, and other social characteristics.
Cell Phones Increase Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors The Department recognized October 2008 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by conducting a cell phone drive within City government. In October alone, the Department collected over 675 cell phones from individuals and City departments. All year long, the Department supports the safety of domestic violence survivors through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program. The Department collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider and sends them to Verizon. In turn, Verizon refurbishes the phones, provides each with a store of minutes, and gives these usable devices to the Department to distribute. Domestic violence survivors who have escaped from their violent homes, often with no money or belongings, can use these phones to establish new, safer lives for themselves. For more information about how you can donate, call (415) 252-2570 or email dosw@sfgov.org.
Anti-Human Trafficking Service Providers to Convene in February Human trafficking is an egregious violation of human rights, and the Department is committed to the fight to eradicate the crime and provide supportive services to victims. To this end, the Department has partnered with the Human Rights Commission and the Jewish Anti-Trafficking Collaborative to host a convening of service providers on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 to assess the need in San Francisco and coordinate resources. Sponsored by Mayor Gavin Newsom and Assemblymember Fiona Ma, Congresswoman Jackie Speier serves as Honorary Chair. One outcome of this event will be a resource directory of Bay Area agencies that provide services to trafficked individuals.
Report on Family Violence is First of its Kind The Family Violence Council, a County advisory body coordinated by the Department, addresses family violence throughout the lifespan, including child abuse, domestic violence, and elder/dependent adult abuse. In order to focus attention on the deleterious impact of family violence on the community as a whole, the Family Violence Council has issued the Report on Family Violence in San Francisco , Fiscal Year 2007-2008 (available in February). San Francisco’s is the only Council to address all forms of family violence at once, and this report is the first of its kind. Examining criminal justice reports, Adult and Child Protective Services statistics, and community agency figures, the Report on Family Violence in San Francisco is a comprehensive look at family violence in the City. This is the first step in analyzing trends and the long-term impact of these crimes. The Report can be found on the Department’s website: www.sfgov.org/dosw.
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Upcoming Commission Meetings The Commission on the Status of Women meets monthly at City Hall, Room 408, 5 pm - 7 pm. All meetings are open to the public and comments are welcome. Visit www.sfgov.org/cosw or call (415) 252-2570 to confirm meetings times and locations.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Upcoming Events and Public Meetings
Justice and Courage Oversight Panel DATE Wednesday, February 4, 2009 TIME 9:00 am – 12:00 pm LOCATION City Hall Room 408, San Francisco DESCRIPTION The Justice and Courage Oversight Panel seeks to create a seamless criminal justice response to domestic violence. This body meets the first Wednesday of every other month. More information can be found on the Department’s website at www.sfgov.org/dosw. CONTACT Carol Sacco, (415) 252-2574, carol.sacco@sfgov.org
Women’s History Month Event DATE Tuesday, March 3, 2009 TIME 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm LOCATION City Hall Room 250 and North Light Court, San Francisco DESCRIPTION The members of the Board of Supervisors will honor 11 women for Women’s History Month during a special session of the March 3, 2009 meeting. The Department will host a reception for honorees in the City Hall North Light Court directly following the presentation of commendations. CONTACT Carol Sacco, (415) 252-2574, carol.sacco@sfgov.org
Family Violence Council DATE Thursday, April 16, 2009 TIME 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm LOCATION 400 McAllister St. Suite 617, San Francisco DESCRIPTION The Family Violence Council is a multi-disciplinary group that seeks to address violence throughout the lifespan, including child abuse, domestic violence, and elder/dependent adult abuse. This body meets the 3rd Thursday of the month, quarterly. More information can be found on the Department’s website at www.sfgov.org/dosw. CONTACT Laura Marshall, (415) 252-2578, laura.marshall@sfgov.org
Justice and Courage Oversight Panel DATE Wednesday, April 1, 2009 TIME 9:00 am – 12:00 pm LOCATION City Hall Room 408, San Francisco DESCRIPTION The Justice and Courage Oversight Panel seeks to create a seamless criminal justice response to domestic violence. This body meets the first Wednesday of every other month. More information can be found on the Department’s website at www.sfgov.org/dosw. CONTACT Carol Sacco, (415) 252-2574, carol.sacco@sfgov.org
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Community Calendar The following events are hosted by or benefit our VAW Grants Program Partner Agencies and women and/or girl-focused organizations.
LYRIC – Mizfits DATE Wednesdays TIME 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm LOCATION 127 Collingwood St., San Francisco DESCRIPTION Be seen. Be heard. Come check out Mizfits, a new social space for queer girls and allies, age 24 and under. Join us for food, conversation, art, and more. Every Wednesday beginning January 21st. CONTACT Jess Arevalo, (415) 703-6150 ext.16, Jessica@lyric.org
Institute on Aging Fundraiser – Dinner a la Heart DATE February 10, 2009 TIME 7:00 pm LOCATION Participating Restaurants DESCRIPTION A dinner reservation at participating restaurants will benefit programs and services offered by IOA. To make reservations, call (415) 750-3443. CONTACT Marie Bautista, (415) 750-4180 ext.143, mbautista@ioaging.org
Institute on Aging Education Event – The Labyrinth of Caregiving: Current and Future Issues and Options DATE February 11, 2009 TIME 8:30 am – 4:30 pm DESCRIPTION For information and to register, visit www.education.ioaging.org. This event will include a morning speaker and afternoon break-out sessions. CEUs available. CONTACT Janet Howell, (415) 750-4180 ext.227, jhowell@ioaging.org
Institute on Aging Ongoing Education Series DATE First Thursday of Every Month TIME 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm LOCATIONAdult Day Health Center, 3600 Geary Street, San Francisco DESCRIPTION Professional training for social workers, caregivers, care managers, and all staff related to senior care. CEUs available. CONTACT Janet Howell, (415) 750-4180 ext.227, jhowell@ioaging.org
Young Asian Women Against Violence (YAWAV) – Community Workshops Available DATE Call to Schedule (Monday – Saturday) TIME Call to Schedule LOCATION Your facility in the San Francisco area DESCRIPTION YAWAV is offering workshops for middle school, high school and parent groups about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, healthy relationships, and self-esteem and body image. YAWAV peer leaders seek to educate the community, especially young adults, with the hope of increasing community awareness and willingness to discuss issues of violence against women. This is a program of Community Youth Center, www.cycsf.org/yawav. CONTACT Den Quinsay, Peer Leader Advisor, (415) 752-9675, denq@cycsf.org.
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COMMISSIONERSPresident Andrea ShorterVice President Kay GulbengayCommissioner Nicky CalmaCommissioner Dorka KeehnCommissioner Carolene MarksCommissioner Katherine MunterCommissioner Barbara SklarDEPARTMENT STAFFEmily M. Murase, PhD, Executive Director
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