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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-21 Public Comment - J. Strout & S. Stewart - BudgetFrom:Jan Strout To:Agenda Subject:Comment to City Commission: City of Bozeman proposed Budget FY 2022 Date:Tuesday, June 22, 2021 11:43:09 AM Attachments:City Commission Comment - FY 2022 Budget Recommendations - Jan Strout & Susan Stewart.docx CEDAW Report and Recommendations on Women and Girls - 2019 UPDATED Format.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Commissioners, Please see attached Comments from Susan Stewart and myself. Thank you. In sisterhood and solidarity, Jan Jan Strout pronouns: she/ella co-leader, Bozeman for CEDAW Initiative and Susan Stewart, enrolled member of Crow Tribe and descendent of Blackfeet Tribe Fierce Women Warrier Society, founding member, Bozeman, Montana Bozeman, Montana June 22, 2021 Dear Mayor and City Commissioners, My name is Jan Strout, pronouns are she/hers and I live at 2322 W. Beall St, Bozeman. I am an educator and advocate for the comprehensive human rights for all women, girls and those people most marginalized. I am one of the co-leaders of the Bozeman Task Force to Advance the Status and Safety of All Women and Girls (or Bozeman Task Force) and bring an intersectional lens to end all forms of poverty, discrimination and violence. Budgets are so much more than funding and revenue - although both are clearly important - because they represent a community's values and priorities. Budgets can advance human dignity, human rights, economic security, community safety and health and well-being. That's why The Task Force cares about the Budget, among other tools, policies, education and social protections, as a key resource. That is why Susan Stewart, enrolled member of the Crow Tribe and founding member of the Women Warriors Society here in Bozeman, and I urge your strongest consideration of priorities that recognize the most vulnerable and impacted in our community. Especially, but not only, because we are still in the midst of a slow, fragile recovery from a health pandemic and economic crisis. Using the City Budget as the tool it is - or can be - will lift up values of centering those most marginalized from the structural violence of discrimination, harassment, abuse, gaslighting, indignity, inequity, and yes, invisibility. By exposing the lack of community safety prevention strategies for women, girls, BIPOC, and the LGBTQ and Two Spirited communities, our Welcoming City can then create the conditions for economic security, community safety and health and well-being by closing the immediate gaps now by funding direct relief from Pandemic support ARPA and - over time - work to eliminate and prevent them with strategic data, knowledge, best practices, political will and persistence. Numerous studies with data collected all over the United States and even globally have painted a dire picture of COVID's harsh treatment of the diversity of women including of color, Indigenous, women and families in poverty, without health care, or child or elder care or safety or social or personal protection. Examples listed below - and many more - call for permanent structural changes in our assumptions, thinking, strategic priorities, who and what we value, from intersectional data gathering to identify and measure the gaps and inequities that need closing and ending. Then locating best practices from communities similar to Bozeman in order to not just alleviate and react to this health, safety and economic crisis - but learn from and prevent them in the future. Which is now. COVID 19 dramatically laid bare issues that existed pre-pandemic. That's why this 2022 FY City of Bozeman proposed Budget a good place to start and here are some Recommendations to move beyond the "back to normal" assumptions when that was never good enough and everything has changed. Our Recommendations: 1. The Bozeman Task Force has been very concerned about the specific impacts of COVID's Health, Safety and Economic crisis on the most marginalized women and girls in our greater community. That is why we look forward to the Equity Indicators and Gaps Analysis. We would like to see adequate money - at least $50K directly allocated for this purpose - in the City Manager budget for diversity, equity and inclusion work. This could immediately respond to and begin work on the findings to ensure that women and girls most marginalized are centered to study the Pandemic's impacts and what is needed. Why this data analysis is so necessary, as we have learned, is because of how many unsuccessful attempts we made through our 2019 Report and Recommendations (attached) to not only seek relevant data that can be consistent, intersectional and compared from 46 different City and County as well as some Montana sources. But also, we ultimately discovered, mostly because of what is not there at all in that data - the invisibility of women and girls - needed to reach any conclusions about the status of diverse women and girls in our community. These findings will benefit the whole community - when nearly 50% of the City population – reflects the needs and experiences of diverse women, girls and families are included and lifted up at the time of the Pandemic and resulting disparities from the economic crisis from such a study. This investment has the potential to make a positive impact on all City planning: for our strategic goals; program development and evaluation; equity, diversity and inclusion policies and remedies; crime prevention and reduction; mental, physical health and well- being; and economic security. 2. Our Task Force's Community Safety Action Group seeks earmarked funding that can be used to prevent crime resulting in enhanced community safety for all. Not just respond after the fact. We support Reallocating Police Funds for this reason. One way is to “…study the CAHOOTS mental health crisis response collaborative in Eugene, Oregon and consider whether or not this approach might work well in the greater Bozeman Area" as described in the recent June 15th Bozeman Chronicle article. Why is this critically important? Given the probability of an increasingly violent landscape from new State Legislation permitting few, if any, restrictions on guns everywhere, known and emerging numbers of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Peoples, increasing levels of mostly invisible intimate partner violence before and during the Pandemic supported from the statistics from HAVEN, and economic insecurities impacting women and families and others most marginalized in community, we support an amount of $200K by reallocating funds from the Police Department to not only study but implement a program to better respond to and support folks experiencing behavioral crisis and folks experiencing homelessness. This moves us toward community safety. 3. American Recovery Plan Act Funds. Given what we know from earlier CARES ACT federal financial support to our community businesses and individual supports - with the existing and growing economic inequality - we believe it is crucial to add/rededicated money in the APRA Fund for assistance to households negatively impacted by the pandemic. Not only is this essential assistance to the disparate impact of the pandemic and economic crisis on women and girls most marginalized, we cannot forget the actual gendered and racial pay inequity and lack of comparable worth that already starts us off at an unfair structural disadvantage in trying to survive. We appreciate your leadership throughout a most unimaginable time for all of us and our community. Now is the time with the 2022 FY Budget to build a more fair, secure and safer future by taking these steps in the City's Budget deliberations and amendments that are necessary to lead by example in modeling values Bozeman is proud to claim as a welcoming, equitable and sustainable City. Thank you for your consideration. Jan Strout co-leader, Bozeman for CEDAW Initiative and Susan Stewart, enrolled member of Crow Tribe and descendent of Blackfeet Tribe Fierce Women Warrier Society, founding member Artist, featured in the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture's exhibit, "We are Still Here and Here is Our Story" Bozeman, Montana Gendered and Racial Impacts of the Pandemic and Economic Crisis Research: A Slow Climb Back from the “She-Cession”: High Jobs Deficit in Child Care and School Sectors Continues - IWPR 2020 COVID-19 is Exposing the Need for Permanent Structural Change - Ms. Magazine Further still, the resulting mental health consequences are compounded exponentially: Women Carry An Undue Mental Health Burden. They Shouldn’t Have To - Ms. Magazine More challenging is the lack of data in Montana and especially in our community on gendered and racial impacts of the Pandemic - with this recent exception on severe child care shortages - from the Montana Budget and Policy Center: Report highlights child care shortages in Montana | Montana Budget & Policy Center If there is one thing that this Pandemic has taught us, it's that "back to normal" is not an option. That is why pro-active policies and budgeting is needed for a full, equitable and inclusive recovery: Institute for Women's Policy Research's Report on Build(ing) the Future: Bold Policies for a Gender-Equitable Recovery Policy Landing Page November 2020 - IWPR 2020 BOZEMAN FOR CEDAW INITIATIVE Cities for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Girls https://www.facebook.com/bozemanforcedaw/ Bozeman Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Presented by the Bozeman for CEDAW Initiative Steering Committee September 19, 2019 U.S. Cities for the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women and Girls (or CEDAW), also known as the Women’s Bill of Rights, uses a human rights framework to outline barriers and discrimination faced by women and girls in small towns to large cities. For women and girls to enjoy their full human rights and fundamental freedoms, all discriminatory barriers must be eliminated. CEDAW ensures that governments, in conjunction with the community, are working toward protecting, respecting and fulfilling the human rights of all women and girls. The Bozeman for CEDAW Initiative is a non-partisan, all volunteer effort by community members that grew out of our original request to the Bozeman City Commission to adopt a City for CEDAW Resolution in May of 2018. This Initiative has been endorsed by over 30 community leaders and organizations, the Bozeman Chronicle, more than 20 letters to the editor and over 1,700 City residents’ signatures on a Petition to support the CEDAW Ordinance. We are committed to taking positive actions that advance the human rights of all Bozeman’s women and girls, especially the most vulnerable. We believe that it is the responsibility of all public and other sectors of our community to critically analyze how they can advance the human rights of Bozeman’s women and girls on their path toward gender equity, diversity and inclusion. We hope that this Report to the members of our Bozeman City Commission and current candidates for the positions of Mayor and City Commissioner will engender and urge support for our proposed Ordinance to become a City for CEDAW. We know that Bozeman becoming a City for CEDAW is an investment in the fair and equitable treatment of all Bozeman's women and girls who, when empowered, can further their own human dignity and family’s economic security as well as the prosperity of our community! What do we know about the lives of women and girls in Bozeman? When women are empowered and treated fairly, Bozeman and all Montana communities prosper. We believe that there is a need to protect and expand the human rights of women and girls by addressing discrimination in political, social, economic, educational and cultural areas. Our Initiative’s work explored the intersection of three of these key areas: Gender-Based Violence – ranging from domestic violence and sexual assault to dating violence and hate crimes. As the struggle for women's rights has continued, it has become clear - most recently with the #MeToo movement - that there is much that is unknown about the barriers to equality. We should support, in a measured way, the quest for better information so we can better guide our action in this movement for fairness, equality, and justice." Carson Taylor, Mayor, City of Bozeman (2015-2017) Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page2 Economic Status - how pay inequities and lack of living wages with benefits impact women as single heads of households, particularly in terms of access to health care, safe housing, child care and food security. Health Indicators - how the impacts of sexism, racism, and violence-related trauma take a toll on women's physical and mental health, including suicide risks. To explore the realities and experiences of women and girls in Bozeman today, we reviewed 46 government reports, social service data or annual reports, and correspondence we initiated from a wide range of institutions and agencies serving our city.1 To understand how women and girls fare at the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity and class, we asked three fundamental questions: 1. How Safe is our Community for Women and Girls? 2. How Economically Secure Are Women and Girls who Work and Live in Bozeman? 3. What are the Challenges to the Health and Well-being of Bozeman’s Women and Girls? The responses to these questions are laid out on the following three pages. The facts found in our review of public documents reveal a flat, or one-dimensional picture of the lives of women in our community. What we found missing are the contours and depth that emerge when we can study the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, income, sexual orientation and ability. These intersections shape what the lives of women in our community look like, what women have access to, and what challenges they face. How does the economic status of women and girls affect their mental and physical health? How can Bozeman address poverty driven by low wages and unequal pay of women - set against the need to provide safe housing, child care and food - given our high cost of living? How do we combat the corrosive impacts of bullying, harassment and intimidation of women and girls in our homes, schools, and workplaces? The extent to which girls’ and women’s lives are affected by a range of conditions and differences that limit their ability to enjoy full economic security and fulfill their potential is increasingly clear. Intersectional data could strengthen Bozeman's Strategic Planning process, better prioritize scarce financial resources, determine allocation of City services to those most vulnerable, and help concentrate its safety and prevention personnel, measures and training to enhance our Livable City so all can thrive. A City for CEDAW offers the best hope for making those connections in ways that lead to humane and dignified lives. 1 Ten sources on Gender-Based Violence, twelve sources on Economic Status, twelve sources on Health Indicators, six sources on Education and two sources on City of Bozeman demographics. "There are dedicated organizations in Bozeman working on the community’s most pressing issues, but the key to transformative action is coordination and collaboration among these organizations to address ending the feminization of poverty and other economic insecurity.” Heather Grenier, President & CEO – Human Resources Development Council Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls How Safe is Our Community for Women and Girls? Both law enforcement and COMBINED REPORTS FROM .2% 78% 17% 4% TYPES OF GENDER CRIMES REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT “Domestic violence homicides are preventable. Abuse is preventable. To create a future without violence, we need a community engaged in ending oppression at all levels of the pyramid of violence." Erica Coyle, Executive Director GENDER 13% of area residents report being a victim of intimate partner violence (hit, slapped, pushed, kicked, hurt in any way).4 The Help Center had 329 reports of interpersonal violence in 2017. They victims of sexual assault and accompanied 59 women for forensic exams in 2018. HAVEN reported a 14% increase in participants in FY 2017 women.6 2 Bozeman Police Department, 2016 Annual Review https://www.bozeman.net/government/police/crime 2 MSU Office of the Dean of Students, 2017 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report 53-54, http://www.montana.edu/reports/security.pdf, (September 2019). 3 MSU Office of the Dean of Students, (2017) 6 and (2018) 54. 4 Professional Research Consultants, 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment Health Deaconess Hospital, Community Health Partners, & Gallatin City http://healthinfo.montana.edu/morh/Gallatin 5 Help Center, Annual Report (2018) 4. Help Center, Data set (2017) Bozeman, MT. 6 HAVEN, Annual Report (FY2016-2017). HAVEN, 7 Coyle, Erica, "Time for Bozeman to take stand for gender equity," https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/guest_columnists/time equity/article_130adf9c-ed43-5856 Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls How Safe is Our Community for Women and Girls? Both law enforcement and service providers data show significant gender-based violence COMBINED REPORTS FROM BOZEMAN AND MSU POLICE DEPARTMENTS TYPES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AS CRIMES REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT Domestic Violence Rape Stalking Fondling/Dating Violence Bozeman and MSU Police Departments 882 calls for service on gender-based violence incidents during and 2017 MSU had 11 reports of hate crimes in 2016 and 2017 based on racial bias, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin. Domestic violence homicides are preventable. Abuse is preventable. To create a future without violence, we need a community engaged in ending oppression at all levels of the pyramid of violence." Erica Coyle, Executive Director – HAVEN7 HAVEN Participant Race/Ethnicity 7% Native American 6.5% Latino 2.6% Multiple Ethnicities 1.6% African American 1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.2% Asian GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: BY THE NUMBERS 13% of area residents report being a victim of intimate partner violence (hit, slapped, pushed, The Help Center had 329 reports of interpersonal violence in 2017. They advocated for 120 adult victims of sexual assault and accompanied 59 women for forensic exams in 2018.5 HAVEN reported a 14% increase in participants in FY 2017-2018: 87% of those participants were 2016 Annual Review and 2017 Annual Review, 4, https://www.bozeman.net/government/police/crime-information, (September 2019). 2017 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, 49-50 and 2018 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report 54, http://www.montana.edu/reports/security.pdf, (September 2019). MSU Office of the Dean of Students, (2017) 6 and (2018) 54. Community Health Needs Assessment Report: Gallatin, Madison & Park Counties, MT Health Deaconess Hospital, Community Health Partners, & Gallatin City-County Health Department, 33, http://healthinfo.montana.edu/morh/Gallatin-Madison-Park-Counties-CHNA.pdf, (September 2019). (2018) 4. Help Center, Data set (2017) Bozeman, MT. 2017). HAVEN, Annual Report (FY2017-2018) 1, 2, Bozeman, MT. Time for Bozeman to take stand for gender equity," Bozeman Chronicle, May 8, 2019, https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/guest_columnists/time-for-bozeman-to-take-stand-for 5856-8384-6e9a9a01245e.html, (September 2019). Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page3 based violence. BOZEMAN AND MSU POLICE DEPARTMENTS2 Bozeman and MSU epartments had calls for service on based violence incidents during 2016 2017.2 MSU had 11 reports of ate crimes in 2016 and 2017 based on racial bias, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin.3 Participants by Race/Ethnicity6 Native American Multiple Ethnicities African American Native Hawaiian/Pacific 13% of area residents report being a victim of intimate partner violence (hit, slapped, pushed, advocated for 120 adult 2018: 87% of those participants were nnual Security and Fire Safety Report, Report: Gallatin, Madison & Park Counties, MT, Bozeman for-gender- Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls How Economically Secure ar We found two primary influences on economic security: A Gender Pay Gap and Basic Living Costs STARTING WAGES FOR THOSE COMPLETING JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS $14.25/hour Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 93% of participants were female, 7% male CITY OF BOZEMAN EMPLOYEES ECONOMIC INSECURITY Gender Pay Gap 7.7% 92.3% Of the top 25% highest paid jobs with the City of Bozeman, 92.3% were held by men and 7.7% were held by women. 8 Career Transitions, Email to CEDAW Steering Committee, received 9 City of Bozeman, "City Progress Report-Equal Pay http://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink8/0/doc/1784 10 Bridgercare, Statistical snapshot (2013-2019) sent to CEDAW Steering Committee, Bozeman, MT 12 MT Department of Labor and Industry, "Bozeman Area Labor Report Special%20Reports%20and%20Studies/BozemanReport2019.pdf, 13 HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Boz Health Care: 85% of women using Bridgercare as a health care provider were below 200% of poverty. Mental Health Care: 49% of mental health providers in the Help Center data base do not accept Medicaid. Access to Childcare: There are only enough providers to meet 33% of the need in the Gallatin Valley. Housing/Food: Between 2013 and 2017, 140% increase in the number of women they through their programs.13 Basic Living Costs Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls 48% 54% Women in Boz Housing How Economically Secure are Women and Girls Who Work and Live in Bozeman? We found two primary influences on economic security: A Gender Pay Gap and Basic Living Costs STARTING WAGES FOR THOSE COMPLETING JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS $14.25/hour Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) $22.50/hour Commercial Driver's License (CDL) 93% of participants were female, 7% male 100% of participants were male, 0% female CITY OF BOZEMAN EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCE GENDER PAY DISPARITIES ECONOMIC INSECURITY The % of women seeking housing, food and energy assistance compared to % of women in the general population. 69.8 % 100 % 73.3 %female male female grad Women’s median pay, with comparable education, is 69.8% of what men make. “We find that the female of household, most often a single mom, is bearing the brunt of finding affordable housing for their family in our hyper competitive housing market.” Rev. Roxanne Klingensmith Family Promise With a graduate degree, women make 73.3% of men’s earnings. "The amazing thing about the gender pay gap is that, while it is well-documented and universally acknowledged, we can't seem to move the a society.” Melissa Herron Business & Of the top 25% highest paid jobs with the City of Bozeman, 92.3% were held by men and 7.7% were held by women. Career Transitions, Email to CEDAW Steering Committee, received August 23, 2019, Belgrade, MT. Equal Pay," 04-01-19 City Commission Packet Materials-SP2, Bozeman, MT, http://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink8/0/doc/178493/Electronic.aspx, (September 2019). 2019) sent to CEDAW Steering Committee, Bozeman, MT. 11 Help Center, Bozeman Area Labor Report," 2019, 4, http://lmi.mt.gov/Portals/193/Publications/LMIPubs/ eports%20and%20Studies/BozemanReport2019.pdf, (September 2019). HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Boz 85% of women using Bridgercare as a health care provider were below 200% of poverty.10 49% of mental health providers in the Help Center data base do not accept Medicaid.11 There are only enough providers to 33% of the need in the Gallatin Valley.12 Between 2013 and 2017, HRDC saw a the number of women they served Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page4 55% 65% Food Energy Live in Bozeman? We found two primary influences on economic security: A Gender Pay Gap and Basic Living Costs. STARTING WAGES FOR THOSE COMPLETING JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS8 ommercial Driver's License (CDL) icipants were male, 0% female EXPERIENCE GENDER PAY DISPARITIES9 The % of women seeking housing, food and energy assistance compared to % of women in the general population.13 “We find that the female head of household, most often a single mom, is bearing the brunt of finding affordable housing for their family in our hyper- competitive housing market.” Rev. Roxanne Klingensmith - Family Promise "The amazing thing about the gender pay gap is that, while it documented and universally acknowledged, we can't seem to move the dial as a society.” Melissa Herron - President, Professional Women Help Center, Annual Report, 2018, 1. ," 2019, 4, http://lmi.mt.gov/Portals/193/Publications/LMIPubs/ HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Bozeman, MT. Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Mental Health Stressors14 by % of Bozeman respondents (see Note) Experience poor to fair mental health (13.5%) Chronic depression (33% of females vs 27% of men) Worry or stress over rent/mortgage (23.8%) Worry about running out of food (13.8%) What are the Challenges to the Health Economic insecurity and lack of personal safety impact women and girls “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence. Experiencing violence is a major precursor to many significant health problems." Katy Osterloth - RNC, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator "Access to reproductive services is increasingly threatened." Stephanie McDowell - Bridgercare 14 Professional Research Consultants, 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment Report: Gallatin, Madison & Park Counties, MT Health Deaconess Hospital, Community Health Partners, & Gallatin City http://healthinfo.montana.edu/morh/Gallatin 15 Help Center, "Annual Report," 2018, 2, Bozeman, MT 16 HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Bozeman, MT 17 Gallatin City-County Health Department, "2018 https://www.healthygallatin.org/community Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Mental Health 14 by % of Bozeman respondents Experience poor to fair mental health Unable to get mental health services (2.6%) Perceive own neighborhood as unsafe (5.1%) (excluding race) depression females vs 27% of men) Physical and safety indicators 13% of area residents report being a victim of intimate partner violence.14 Of homes with firearms, % who leave them unlocked and loaded (20.4%)14 No prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy (26%)17 Limited activities due to physical, mental, or emotional problem (24.5%)14 What are the Challenges to the Health and Well-being of Women and Girls? Economic insecurity and lack of personal safety impact women and girls Note: 14 This Needs Assessment broke out (a) Bozeman respondents demographic percentages across three counties. We selected indicators we found to be potentially relevant to women AND where researchers indicated the item was "higher or notably higher" for women, lower income levels and residents of another or unk The % here represent respondents who indicat true for them. Community Health Needs Assessment Report: Gallatin, Madison & Park Counties, MT , Community Health Partners, & Gallatin City-County Health Department, 24-35, a.edu/morh/Gallatin-Madison-Park-Counties-CHNA.pdf, (September 2019). ," 2018, 2, Bozeman, MT. HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Bozeman, MT 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment, Gallatin County, Montana," https://www.healthygallatin.org/community-health/community-health-assessment/, (September 2019). Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page5 Suicide Risk Assessments at the Help Center increased by 20% in 2018.15 Female recipients of LIEAP, Energy Share, and Weatheriztion (65%)16 being of Women and Girls? Economic insecurity and lack of personal safety impact women and girls. This Needs Assessment broke out ) Bozeman respondents and (b) demographic percentages across three We selected indicators we found to be potentially relevant to women researchers indicated the item was "higher or notably higher" for women, lower income levels and residents of another or unknown race. The % here represents all Bozeman indicated this was Community Health Needs Assessment Report: Gallatin, Madison & Park Counties, MT, Bozeman 35, HRDC, Special report on female to male ratio for client services created for CEDAW Steering Committee, 2019, Bozeman, MT. ," 34, Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page6 Our Recommendations Regarding Data Collection and Reporting that will Benefit the Lives of all Bozeman’s Women and Girls As we gathered existing information, we discovered a lack of specificity in the data related to gender for most of the key areas we explored. There is a veritable “invisibility” of women and girls in crucial data. Without being able to analyze key societal issues on a gender-specific basis, a proper identification of gaps and needs is impossible. We offer the following recommendations regarding data collection and reporting in order to provide the opportunity for a more complete picture of these important issues in the future: 1. Consistency and expansion of crime statistics. Currently, MSU police and Bozeman City police report crime statistics using different categories and providing different levels of detail. To accurately track impacted groups, crime statistics should break out age, race and gender of victims in a consistent way that is readily sortable. 2. More specificity in surveys and studies related to gender, race/ethnicity, age and income. The City of Bozeman has conducted numerous studies (EPS, Affordable Housing, etc.) and surveys (downtown business plan, community plan, etc.). Where feasible, the studies and surveys should gather information regarding gender, income, and race/ethnicity. Including this information may reveal gaps or opportunities that are otherwise unknown. As a leader for other governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and businesses, the City is positioned to set a standard that models inclusive and uniform demographic data-gathering allowing more sophisticated comparisons. 3. Geographic Specific Reports and Studies. Much of the data collected included geographic areas that encompass Gallatin, Park, and Madison counties or the entire State of Montana. Pulling site- specific demographic data for Bozeman itself was not possible. Statewide data informs us of pressing, immediate and/or hidden issues that could be facing women and girls in our community. For example, "There are more than 1,400 emergency department visits annually for intentional self- harm in Montana with women about twice as likely as men to be admitted to the emergency room with a suicide attempt."18 Montana ranks 5th in the nation for the highest number of missing or murdered Indigenous women.19 "Each episode of LGBTQ victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average."20 How these trends impact women and girls in Bozeman cannot be explored without breakouts around intersections of gender by race/ethnicity, income levels or age. Tying Bozeman realities to state and national trends could prioritize best practices in planning, policies and budgeting. ___________________________ 18 Department of Health and Human Services, "Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan," 2019, 2, https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2017-2018/Children-Family/Meetings/Sept-2018/sept2018-suicide- prevention-plan.pdf 19 Urban Indian Health Institute, "Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls: A snapshot of data from 71 cities in the United States," 2017, 10, https://www.uihi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women- and-Girls-Report.pdf, (September 2019). 20 Department of Health and Human Services, "Suicide in Montana: Facts, Figures, and Formulas for Prevention," August 2018, 3, https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/suicideprevention/SuicideinMontana.pdf, (September 2019). Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page7 4. The Bozeman City Commission should adopt an Ordinance as a City for CEDAW. As a City for CEDAW, the City Commission would appoint a Commission or Task Force to recommend ways to address the status of women and girls in Bozeman. This Task force would be accountable to the Commission for designing a process and Action Plan to redress areas of gender and other identified discriminations. This would require completing a comprehensive intersectional gender analysis of the city’s policies, budget, and workforce with other demographic factors like race, ethnicity, age, ability, and sexual orientation. The Task Force could utilize grants and other outside funding opportunities to support this project and there are numerous potential collaborators in Montana. By adopting an Ordinance, the City of Bozeman demonstrates commitment and provides additional credibility for advancing the human rights of all our community’s women and girls. Why should we support a Bozeman Cities for CEDAW Ordinance? Other Bozeman City policies and laws prohibit specific acts of discrimination based on gender (like equal pay for equal work, gender-based violence and the Non-Discrimination Ordinance that protects LGBTQ city residents). An Ordinance based on CEDAW principles comprehensively addresses human rights of women and girls because, in addition to addressing gender- based discrimination, it focuses on ending all barriers and forms of discrimination against women and girls. This would include barriers based in race and ethnicity, abuse and violence, class and economic security, and access to healthcare. An Ordinance would support provisions for monitoring the progress and effectiveness of the procedures used to eradicate these barriers. Our Conclusion We know that when women are visible, valued, respected and living in safety as contributing members of our community, we can change women’s and girls’ lives and our world. Not for the few to succeed, but for the many, and for all. This is the time to strengthen our intention to fully implement policies of human dignity and rights for the betterment of all of our residents by adopting an Ordinance for Bozeman as a City for CEDAW. "One clear interpretation we can make, is that what is not visible is then invisible to us as a community. We are socialized to view ourselves through this fractured lens. Just like we know that sexual assault and intimate partner violence happens but is under-reported. Just like we know that caring for children impacts our ability to realize our full economic power but it’s hard to assess how and what that impact is. So it is that what we don’t know in the data becomes the most compelling question: what is the invisible story that is not being held to the light of day?" Lei-Anna Bertelsen, Mathematics Educator and Consultant Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page8 Appendices Information Sources on CEDAW CEDAW in Brief: http://citiesforcedaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CEDAW_2-Pager_15-March-2018.pdf Cities for CEDAW: http://citiesforcedaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Landscape-Cities-for-CEDAW-Branded- for-Website-June-27-2019.pdf Information Sources Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital Bozeman Police Department Bridgercare Career Transitions Child Care Connections City of Bozeman Community Health Partners 802 S Grand Family Promise Gallatin City-County Health Department Gallatin County Detention Center HAVEN Help Center Human Resources Development Council MSU: Diversity and Inclusion Office MSU: Office of the Dean of Students MSU: Office of Planning and Analysis MSU Police Department MT Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Prospera Business Network State of Montana: Department of Health and Human Services State of Montana: Dept of Labor & Industry State of Montana: Office of Public Instruction Susan Wickland Fund U.S. Census U.S. Centers for Disease Control Urban Indian Health Institute Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page9 2019-2020 Steering Committee Members Bozeman for CEDAW Initiative (Cities for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and Girls) Affiliations for Identification purposes only Heide Arneson, Bozeman School Board Trustee and former Vice Chair; U.S. Air Force Veteran 406/599-3533 tomtemom@bresnan.net Lei-Anna Bertelsen, Mathematics Educator and Consultant 406/579-9965 leiannabertelsen@gmail.com Terry Cunningham, Commissioner, City of Bozeman 406/581-2060 tcunningham@mcn.net Cam Doran, MSU Student and former Voter Registration Organizer/Internship Coordinator, Forward Montana 406-381-4217 camdoran1@gmail.com Lauren Gette-King, Visions Service Adventures; MSU Spanish faculty - co-leader 907/354-5456 lauren.gette.king@gmail.com The Rev. Roxanne Klingensmith, Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association liaison & Board member, Family Promise 406/580-4748 julianofnorwich@msn.com Lori Morgan, Therapist, small business owner lorihappydays@gmail.com Ann Rupert and Emily Allison, Bridgercare SW Montana Family Planning Ce 218/491-4379 arupert@bridgercare.org and eallison@bridgercare.org Jan Strout, President, Montana Chapter, National Organization for Women – co-leader 206/251-0880 janchangethatworks@yahoo.com Carson Taylor, Mayor, City of Bozeman (2015-17) 406/579-6423 carsongtaylor@gmail.com Dr. Franke Wilmer, Professor and Department Head, MSU Department of Political Science (on sabbatical until January 15, 2020) 406/599-3639 frankewilmer1@gmail.com Key Advisors Dr. Sarah Allen, Assistant Professor, Family Life and Human Development, Southern Utah University Jane Arntzen-Schmacher, Executive Director, Child Care Connections - jane@cccmontana.org Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page10 Rev. Lindean Barnett Christenson, Moderator, Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association lindean@ctkbozeman.org Erica Coyle, Executive Director, The HAVEN - erica@havenmt.org Betsy Danforth, Director, MSU Women’s Center and Chair, President’s Commission on the Status of University Women - Danforth@montana.edu Dr. Krishanti Dharmaraj, E.D., Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Rutgers University Jen Euell, Program Director, Women’s Foundation of Montana - jeneuell@mtcf.org Bill Goold, former staff, Progressive Congressional Caucus - j.william.goold@gmail.com Heather Grenier, President/CEO, Human Resources Development Council - hgrenier@thehrdc.org Clare Hendricks, MSU Student and former BSHS President, X-2 Club - clare92010@gmail.com Melissa Herron, President, Bozeman Business and Professional Women - president@bozemanbpw.org Jane Brown Howard, MSU Development Administrator (retired) - janebrownhoward@gmail.com I-Ho Pomeroy, Commissioner, City of Bozeman and Business Owner - ihoandderik@gmail.com Dr. Lucille Pope, Principal, Collaborative Consulting – Lucille.Pope@yahoo.com Erika Ross, Consultant, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - erika1@montana.edu Yvonne Rudman, MSU Administrator (retired) - ymrudman@gmail.com Ann Schrader, Consultant, Changing Directions – aschrader54@gmail.com Francine Spang-Willis, graduate student, Columbia University - francinespangwillis@gmail.com Rev. Valerie Webster, Director, Montana Association of Christians - vwebster587@gmail.com Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page11 PROPOSED RESOLUTION for the City of Bozeman, Montana to Advance all Women’s and Girls’ Human Rights by becoming a City for CEDAW WHEREAS, Bozeman’s women and girls have made gains in the struggle for equality in many fields, there is a continued need to protect and expand the human rights of women and girls by addressing discrimination in economic, cultural, political and social areas to achieve one of the most basic human rights, equality; and WHEREAS, Bozeman, Montana, as a Welcoming City, recognizes that when there are fair and equitable investments in the lives of all women and girls, our community prospers and therefore will be a city free of gender and other discrimination and all forms of violence; and WHEREAS, statistics gathered in the Bozeman Cities for CEDAW FACT Sheet in areas of Work and Family, Health and Education, Public Life and Political Participation powerfully demonstrate multiple reasons to learn about, document and advance all women’s and girls’ human rights here in the City of Bozeman; there are significant areas of research missing and needed from other demographic factors such as Indigenous women, women of color, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, economic class, disability and gender identity; and WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission wishes to adopt positive measures to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights of women and girls as recognized in local, state, federal and international laws, including CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women); and WHEREAS, Cities for CEDAW ordinances are based on the principles of CEDAW whose purpose is to advance the human rights of all women and girls as a path toward gender equity, diversity and inclusion and provide a comprehensive framework with three standards: 1) a gender analysis of cities and communities; 2) an oversight body to ensure that appropriate and timely actions are taken; and 3) creation of an Action Plan based on evidence of any gender and other discrimination in order for governments to examine their own policies, discover best practices and then rectify discrimination based on gender and other demographic factors; and WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Strategic Plan Vision calls for a safe, inclusive community fostering civic engagement and creativity, with a thriving diversified economy, strong environmental ethic and high quality of life; and knowledge gathered through a Gender Analysis can specifically help identify diversity goals, local government best practices and address areas of our City's policies, programs and budget which may adversely impact segments of our community population; and WHEREAS, a City for CEDAW Ordinance would build-on the City of Bozeman's commitment to fairness, inclusion and equity evidenced in the LGBT Non-Discrimination Ordinance, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Resolution, the Indigenous People's Day and the Domestic Violence Mayoral Proclamations; and WHEREAS, City governments have an appropriate and legitimate role affirming the importance of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women in communities as universal norms and serve as guides for public policy; and Report and Recommendations to Advance the Status of All Women and Girls Page12 WHEREAS the United States Conference of Mayors, in 2014, urged cities across the United States to join 40+ U.S. Cities for CEDAW who have adopted Ordinances and/or Resolutions (such as Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Louisville, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Durham County) and 30+ cities in progress to participate in the Cities for CEDAW Initiative and pass local ordinances/resolutions reflecting the principles of CEDAW; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Commission appoint a Task Force on Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion comprised of women and men of different backgrounds to provide advice, oversight, gender equity and diversity expertise to monitor, support and prioritize phases and scope of the Gender Analysis and the City’s implementation of this CEDAW Resolution consistent with the City’s budget priorities and the opportunities for partnerships; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a Gender Analysis with diverse demographics of the City of Bozeman be conducted through partnerships with Montana State University, related community organizations and interested businesses. This research will provide concrete data to show us what we do not know about discriminatory policies and practices impacting all women and girls in our City in order to discover solutions and best practices to end gender and all forms of discrimination; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the evidence of the City of Bozeman Gender Analysis, the Task Force recommend an Action Plan to the City of Bozeman to remedy any evidence of gender inequities as well as incorporate new thinking to identify both subtle (inherent biases) and more obvious/substantial areas of gender and other discrimination, to be updated annually and shared with the Bozeman community; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City of Bozeman encourages all members of the community and our institutions to participate in the Gender Analysis to evaluate their own biases, policies and practices to ensure they are non-discriminatory and fully serve all women and girls in order to advance the human rights of all residents. May 1, 2018 Proposed Resolution from the Bozeman Working Group, Bozeman Cities for CEDAW