S T R A T E G I C A C T I O N P L A N 2 0 1 8-2 0 2 0
Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women The Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women (LACSW) was established in 1975 and relaunched by Mayor Garcetti in 2015 to advance the welfare of women and girls in the City. The mission of the LACSW is to inform and advise the Mayor and City Council on the challenges that women and girls face locally. Through policy recommendations, raising awareness, and expanded partnerships, LACSW strives to remove obstacles that prevent women from reaching their full potential. LACSW is staffed by the Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department. LACSW Commissioners: President, Jackie Filla Vice- President, Nancy Perlman, Delegate, Erma Bernard-Gibson Commissioner, Jessica Postigo Commissioner Alice Y. Hom Commissioner Maryam Zar Commissioner Richelle Huizar When women thrive, communities thrive. Gender equality is not a women's issue, it is a human issue that concerns everyone. We are here to help create a system that provides women equal rights, opportunities, and the power to shape their own lives." - Jackie Filla, LACSW President
2 0 1 8-2 0 2 0 P R I O R I T Y 2017 was the year when gender equality was in retreat globally, but also the year when hundreds and thousands of women demonstrated their resilience across Los Angeles and the United States as they raised their collective voices in defending their human rights and dignity. Thanks to Mayor Eric Garcetti's leadership and commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) through the Executive Directive no. 11 on Gender Equity in City Operations, the City of Los Angeles has an exceptional opportunity to advance gender equality. For 2018-2020, LACSW will leverage ongoing work at international, national, state, and county level, and make the implementation of the Executive Directive its main priority. Through tools and recommendations, the LACSW will support City Departments and other organizations interested in integrating a gender perspective into policies, programs, services, organizational practices, and resource distribution. For the benefit of all. PROJECTS LED BY LACSW THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COMMISSIONS FOR WOMEN CONFERENCE Commission Leads: Jackie Filla, Jessica Postigo, and Alice Y. Hom Project Description: Plan and implement the National Association of Commissions for Women Conference on August 1-4 with the goal to share best practices, learn about issues facing women and girls, highlight the work of the City of Los Angeles, discuss new and innovative policies, strengthen working relationships, and identify diverse ways to support women and girls in a changing world and globalized economy. Main Partners: The Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, Los Angeles City Council, the National Association of Commissions for Women, the Housing + Community Investment Department, Los Angeles County Women & Girls Initiative, and other Women's Commissions across the United States.
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY LACSW CITIES FOR CEDAW Commission Leads: Jackie Filla and Alice Y. Hom Project Description: i) Develop policy recommendations, briefings, and templates on how to integrate a gender perspective into policies, programs, services, organizational practices, and budgets through gender mainstreaming processes, and ii) Participate in working groups, the Gender Coalition, Department and Committee meetings, and meetings with City Councilmembers with the goal to advance the implementation of the Executive Directive No. 11 on Gender Equity in City Operations. Main Partners: The Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, the Housing + Community Investment Department, LA City Gender Coalition, other City Departments, Los Angeles City Council, the Workforce Development Board, the Task Force on Underrepresented Populations, and LA Metro. SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE Commission Lead: Maryam Zar Project Description: Provide recommendations relating to policies, processes, training, and reporting solutions to the LA City Risk Reduction Cabinet, in line with Los Angeles City Council Motion C.F. 17-1286, with the goal to prevent and address discrimination and harassment in City Departments and beyond. Main Partners: The Risk Reduction Cabinet Working Group, the Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, the Housing + Community Investment Department, the Personnel Department, and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Nury Martinez.
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY LACSW CAREERS IN CITY GOVERNMENT Commission Lead: Nancy Perlman Project Description: Design and produce a video series featuring women across City Departments to raise awareness about different career paths in Los Angeles City Government. Main Partners: The Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, Channel 35, the Housing + Community Investment Department and other City Departments, 2018 TARGETED ACTION ADDRESSING THE INTERSECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FEMALE HOMELESSNESS In 2016, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released troubling data showing a significant increase in the number of women experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. Since 2009, the number has grown to 17.882 women, an increase of 70%. According to the 2017 Homeless Count, nearly twice as many unsheltered women than men had experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, 28% homeless women reported a history of sex trafficking, compared to 6% of the male homeless population. National research shows that domestic violence is one of the main drivers into homelessness for women. "When women leave their homes to escape a violent environment, they often have nowhere else to turn. Due to lack of safe, affordable housing options, these women are often forced to choose between remaining with their abuser or becoming homeless." - The Downtown Women Center Every year, the Los Angeles Police Department receives 48,000 calls related to domestic abuse. Many times, domestic violence cases mask sex or labor trafficking. A study by the Government Accountability Office shows that 12 out of 27 tribal law enforcement agencies have identified domestic violence in human trafficking investigations. In light of these staggering numbers, the LACSW has resolved to make these cross-sectional issues a focal point for 2018.
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY LACSW ALIGN EFFORTS TO REDUCE FEMALE HOMELESSNESS Commission Leads: Jessica Postigo, Maryam Zar, Erma Bernard-Gibson, and Richelle Huizar Project Description: Develop a messaging framework, in partnership with the Domestic Violence Alliance and Service Providers, that i) further illustrates the intersection between domestic violence, human trafficking, and female homelessness, and the specific needs of women and girls, ii) highlights the importance of rapid re-housing programs, permanent supportive housing, shelters, and safe parking programs, and iii) suggests policy solutions, with the goal to strengthen LACSW's advocacy efforts and adopt policies that help women transition out of homelessness. As part of this work, LACSW will continue to engage with community stakeholders across the City to highlight ongoing efforts. Main Partners: City of Los Angeles Domestic Violence Alliance, the Housing + Community Investment Department, Service Providers, Los Angeles City Council, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, the Mayor's Office of Public Safety, the Economic & Workforce Development Department, and other Commissions. Oree Freeman, award winning advocate, trainer and survivor leader in the movement to end human trafficking.
PROJECTS LED BY LACSW LOOK AGAIN Commission Leads: Jessica Postigo and Nancy Perlman Project Description: Lead the production and distribution of the media campaign "Look Again," including one public service announcement, one additional street sign video. and four prints, with the goal to raise awareness of the realities surrounding human trafficking, with a special focus on child sex trafficking. Main Partners: LAPD, the Mayor's Office of Public Safety, Councilmembers Nury Martinez and David Ryu, the Housing + Community Investment Department, Outfront Media, JC Decaux, Creative Director Kirsten Rutherford, and Assistant Creative Director Rance Randle,
PROJECTS LED BY LACSW 2018 PIONEER WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS Commission Leads: Jessica Postigo, Nancy Perlman, Erma Bernard-Gibson and Maryam Zar Project Description: Design, plan, and implement the Pioneer Women of the Year Awards with the goal to i) honor and recognize women leaders for their exemplary contribution to the lives of women and girls in the City of Los Angeles, ii) bring attention to the intersection of female homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and iii) connect the Mayor's Office, Los Angeles City Council, City Departments, Service Providers, and Commissions on this issue. Main Partners: The Housing + Community Investment Department, Mayor's Office of Budget & Innovation, Councilmember Nury Martinez, and the entire Los Angeles City Council.
CONTACT INFORMATION Website: http://hcidla.lacity.org/commission-status-women Twitter: @LACSW Facebook: @losangelescsw Address: 1200 7th Street. 9th floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90012 Project Coordinator: Caroline Toren Email: caroline.toren@lacity.org Tel: 213 928 9045