SFGov

back to Department on the Status of Women home page

CEDAW

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO TASK FORCE FOR THE LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

Minutes for September 26, 2001 Meeting

CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Emily Murase, Chair, called the meeting to order.

TASK FORCE MEMBERS Present
Krishanti Dharmaraj, WILD for Human Rights
Youmna Chlala, Amnesty International
Maria Elena Guillen, Commission on Aging /Local 790
Myrna Lopez, Office of the Mayor
Sonia Melara, Arriba Juntos
Ken Theisen, Bay Legal
Kathy Summers, Bayview Hunter’s Point Healthcare Task Force
Pansy Waller, Human Rights Commission

DOSW Staff Attending
Ann Lehman, DOSW
Rebecca Rolfe, DOSW
Jennifer Mitchell, DOSW

Public and Other Department Staff
Andrea Shorter, Commission on the Status of Women
Elizabeth Simpson, WILD for Human Rights
Julie Posadas, Juvenile Probation Department
Liz Jackson-Simpson, Juvenile Probation Department

ADOPTION OF AGENDA & MINUTES

Pansy Waller moved, Youmna Chlala seconded, and the Task Force unanimously approved the agenda for the September 26, 2001 meeting and the minutes from the July 25, 2001 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

DISCUSSION: World Conference on Racism

Krishanti Dharmaraj and Youmna Chlala provided a report on the World Conference on Racism.

Key issues at the conference included: migrant workers; caste issues and the Dalit (the so-called "untouchables" in India), Zionism and the impact of Zionism on Palestinians and the West Bank; reparations for the trans Atlantic slave trade; indigenous communities; and a push to incorporate multiple identities into human rights analysis, i.e. gender, class and racism.

Of the NGOs attending the conference, 25% were from the U.S. The U.S. verbally withdrew, vacating their seat at the government conference, but did not formally withdraw their participation credentials. Media played a significant role in the conference, and Krishanti Dharmaraj and Youmna Chlala felt the media coverage impacted both the process of the conference and the agenda. Although much of the media attention and governmental focus was on the issues of Zionism/Palestine and reparations, there was success on other issues including: African Americans building connections through the African Diaspora; forward movement on identifying sexuality and sexual minorities as a human rights issue; an international focus on Dalits and issues of caste; and movement on using a human rights model to address racial discrimination.

There was brief discussion of the role of the events of 9/11 and the attacks on New York, DC and plane crash in Pennsylvania and what impact this would have had on the U.S. involvement in the World Conference on Racism had these events occurred prior to the conference. Krishanti Dharmaraj and Youmna Chlala felt that the US would not have been as quick to withdraw from the proceedings after the 9/11 events.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEM: Gender analysis update report by the Juvenile Probation Department (JPD)

Liz Jackson-Simpson, Director of Community Services, and Julie Posadas, Director of Girls Services, presented information on the Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) progress in addressing CEDAW recommendations.

Ms. Posadas coordinates the gender specific services for girls in Juvenile Hall. She has developed a schedule of gender specific services for girls in both the girls only G1 Unit and the Co-Ed unit and is able to ensure that 100% of the girls in the hall participate in the programs. She also provides a mandatory training for all Juvenile Hall staff on the issues and needs of girls in the juvenile justice system including gender specific services. Last year, Ms. Posadas’s program was funded through federal TANF funds. This year the program is funded through state AB 1913 funds. The total cost of the program for this year is $350,000 that includes funding for community-based programs.

Ms. Posadas identified a problem with a high percentage of girls being arrested for drugs and prostitution. San Francisco is becoming a magnet for youth prostitution with girls from other counties arrested here on prostitution charges and then released their home counties where they do not have gender specific services available. She discussed the need for an inter-county response to this problem since it crosses county jurisdictions. A need for programs for girls focusing on economic development, particularly marketable and transferable skills for girls, was identified.

Ms. Posadas and Ms. Jackson-Simpson provided information about the community organizations currently contracting with JDP, which are renewed contracts from previous years. A list of current contracts and services was provided. The "GIRLS Project" that had previously been funded has not been renewed and will not be replaced at this time. There are still no residential services for girls in the juvenile justice system; Task Force members indicated this is problematic as it contributes to higher retention of girls in Juvenile Hall.

JPD is seeking funding from the Department of Labor and Department of Justice for the Youth Offenders Initiative, a proposed collaborative project that would focus on girl specific services. JPD is also working with the DA’s office to get victim compensation money for girls in the juvenile justice system, which would create more accessibility to resources for girls particularly for much needed intervention and mental health services. Questions were raised about current allocation of resources at JDP. As indicated, almost all the funds for girls’ services are temporary money, due to run out in the next few years.

Regarding "work-life" policies, the JPD offers trainings on personnel policies and issues.

Regarding collection and analysis of statistics, JPD is starting a new assessment project called PRIDE, which will provide current statistics and outcomes for youth in the system. Copies of a Report and Recommendations to the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department: Reducing Crowding and Disproportionality at San Francisco Juvenile Hall by James Bell & Sue Burrell were distributed to Task Force members. The PRIDE data collection system will address statistical and data collection which will allow the department to track the progress of CEDAW recommendations regarding gender as well as recommendations in the James Bell report.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM: Work Life Survey Report

Ann Lehman and Jennifer Mitchell gave a PowerPoint presentation on the City and County of San Francisco’s Work Life Survey Report. The Report will be available in full in early October and also on DOSW’s website at www.sfgov.org/cosw

The survey was the result of issues raised in the six department’s gender analyses. The report includes a detailed analysis of the survey data results. This study has shed light on what is happening throughout the City and County of San Francisco’s departments in the area of work-life practices. Existing practices vary amongst the departments surveyed and benefits and concerns were identified; these can now be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Suggestions from departments look toward an institutional or Citywide response to support departments’ implementation of work-life programs.

Neither the Task Force nor DOSW are making specific recommendations at this time but will provide them upon completion of the employee survey.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM: Adoption of the Arts Commission and Rent Board gender analysis reports and recommendations including CEDAW response.

Ken Theisen moved, Maria Guillen seconded, and the Task Force unanimously approved adopting the Rent Board gender analysis report and recommendations.

Sonia Melara moved, Ken Theisen seconded, and the Task Force unanimously approved adopting the Arts Commission gender analysis report and recommendations.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM: Discuss CEDAW Task Force retreat and point person for agenda and facilitation.

The CEDAW Task Force retreat will be held on Friday, October 26th from 8 am - 3 pm. Ken Theisen and Rebecca Rolfe will be point people for the agenda; please email agenda topics and requests to them (Rebecca at Rebecca_Rolfe@ci.sf.ca.us; Ken at Ktheisen@BayLegal.org). WILD for Human Rights may be able to offer their conference room, Krishanti Dharmaraj will confirm if the room is available.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM: Report on public awareness campaign. Discussion of public hearing for 6th CEDAW Task Force Progress Report and recommendations.

Forwarded to retreat agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENT: none

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pansy Waller announced that this would be her last Task Force meeting. She indicated that the department will appoint a replacement for her on the Task Force.

Bayview Hunter’s Point Foundation is publishing a calendar of local women. Proceeds from the sales of the calendar will go to support services for women with breast cancer. Please contact the Bayview Hunter’s Point Foundation to order the calendar.

There was discussion regarding increased awareness of hate crimes directed towards South Asian, Arab, and Muslim women who may be at increased risk of violence after the events of 9/11.

ADJOURNMENT

Ken Theisen moved, Sonia Melara seconded, the Task Force unanimously approved the motion to adjourn.

Meeting Information

CEDAW