HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-22 Public Comment - A. Osita - Public Comment re Resolution 5384 Agenda item M.5From:Aja ("Asia") Osita
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment re: Resolution 5384 (Agenda item M.5)
Date:Monday, April 4, 2022 9:28:05 PM
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Hello
Please accept the following as written comment in support of Resolution 5384.
I am pleased to support the draft City of Bozeman Resolution 5384, City of Bozeman Establishing a
City for CEDAW, we need the strongest possible Resolution to institutionalize the human rights of
women, girls, trans and non-binary people who experience gender-based violence in our
community.
Last year, Haven served 1,069 survivors of gender-based violence of all races, genders, creeds, andsocio-economic statuses. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 54% oftrans and non-binary people report experiencing gender-based violence and discrimination, which isat a rate 2.16 times higher than their cisgender counterparts.
As we take a stand against gender-based violence together, we need everyone who lives in our
community to know that we care about their experiences. We need to know that our highest level of
local government are brave decision makers, willing to set an example, and that we all have a role to
play in ending gender-based violence in Bozeman. It is exciting to see our local leaders lean into the
opportunity to demonstrate higher expectations of their constituents; care for people of all genders;
commitment to protecting the vulnerability of girls with an understanding of the cyclical nature of
gender-based violence; and who want to have accountability measures built-in to this Resolution
that support doing this complex work well. This will require thoughtful collaboration between the
Economic Vitality Board, local experts, and those most affected by gender-based violence in our
community. Doing so makes Bozeman safer for everyone.
Please vote to unanimously adopt Resolution 5384.
Thank you,
Aja Osita
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Aja Osita | she/her
Programs Director
(406) 586-7689 | www.havenmt.org