CEDAW: WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS

In 1998, San Francisco became the first city in the world to pass the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as a local measure. The CEDAW Ordinance commits the City to proactive measures to advance the human rights of women and girls. The Department works to implement the CEDAW principles through analysis of local legislation and the City’s budget, workforce, and operations.

GENDER EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The Department works to address many issues that continue to limit women’s economic opportunity and gender equity in the workplace through advancing local legislation, promoting best practices, and educating women and employers on how to create family-friendly workplaces and foster equal pay.

FAMILY VIOLENCE COUNCIL

The Department helped to form and now staffs the Family Violence Council which serves as an umbrella for the intervention and prevention communities in 1) domestic violence, 2) child abuse, and 3) elder/dependent adult abuse. The Council works to coordinate services and improve communication between the three communities, analyzes trends and data related to family violence in San Francisco, and advises the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, and the Courts about these trends and other family violence-related issues.

MAYOR'S TASK FORCE ON ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking takes a comprehensive, victim-centered approach and includes city departments and community based organizations. It aims to effectively intervene in human trafficking situations and focuses on long-term local solutions to this complex issue that affects the whole community. The Department on the Status of Women staffs the Task Force.