Department of the Environment

2002 Gender Analysis Updates

 

On June 26, 2002, the Department of the Environment provided a report on its progress to the CEDAW Task Force. The following draws directly from the Minutes of that meeting:

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT GENDER ANALYSIS UPDATE

Debbie Raphael and Mark Westlund of the Department of the Environment gave their Department's gender analysis progress report:

 

The Department reported significant growth in the last year from a staff of 13 in 2002 to 57 employees in 2002. This includes commissioners and part of this was due to the absorption of the solid waste management department. The department has hired a number of women in the technical fields, many from former academic areas. The department has worked to hard to diversify its staff but would like to do more especially in the area of ethnic diversity. Details of their success are shown in charts with their update report.

 

The department will review collection data on sexual orientation, parental status, age, disability, and language ability. Ninety-five percent of staff are full-time, one person is part time. The department has a 9/80 schedule and flexible start times. This has improved moral but due to coverage issues cannot also implement telecommuting. Currently the department is very focused on getting people in place and programs set up (relatively still all new). They are surveying clients. Environmental justice is an area that has explored gender issues within the department. They would like to work with DOSW on environmental justice and gender issues.