HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-26 Public Comment - J. Strout - When Women and Girls Prosper, Our Community Benefits!From:Jan Strout
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]When Women and Girls Prosper, Our Community Benefits!
Date:Sunday, January 11, 2026 11:55:00 PM
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 Morrison and City Commissioners,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your special meeting worksession on January 12, 2026. We understand that setting priorities with
growing needs and fewer resources can be challenging and hope our
recommendations will be part of your solutions.
As many of you know, our Bozeman City for CEDAW Task Force has been
working in partnership with the City, many community organizations
including those health, education and safety-focused, as well as
businesses to advance the human rights of the diversity of women, girlsand others most under-represented. Prior City Commissioners - including
some of you - have unanimously adopted a Bozeman City for CEDAW
Resolution in April 2022.
As many of us are aware, the situation of women and girls has grown
more dire since the adoption of our 2022 Bozeman City for CEDAW
Resolution. You'll read that in the Toplines Research reported by the
Montana Budget and Policy Center in 2024:Women's Foundation of Montana | The Status of Women in Montana
That is why we come to you to prioritize in 2026 an Ordinance for the
robust implementation of the CEDAW women's human rights framework tonot only protect and defend women's human rights that strengthens
gender equality, but also benefits the City of Bozeman.
How Does the Bozeman City for CEDAW Positively Impact our
City and Community?
Here are a few examples of possible actions from the CEDAW women’s
human rights framework that advance personal and community safety, health
and well-being, and economic security we expect and have been promised in
the City's for CEDAW Resolution. These examples not only protect the human
rights of the diversity of women, girls and others most vulnerable, but our City
and entire Community benefit when residents are safer, more healthy, and
economically secure. When our Bozeman City of CEDAW Ordinance is
robustly implemented!
1. Personal and Community Safety
-Provide Gender-sensitive housing supports - e.g., safe shelters, wraparound
services for pregnant or recovering women, and anti-harassment protections
within housing programs.
-Create a UN Safe City Programme designed to advance the human right of
“Freedom of Movement in Public Spaces” which expand women’s, girls’ and
gender-expansive persons to more fully participate in public and civic life,
economic opportunities and recreational activities.
-Ensure prevention of and protection from harassment and other forms of
violence in the workplace.
-Public works projects or projects receiving City financial incentives should
include planning for and inclusion of women's and community safety
measures, such as adequate lighting and restroom placement.
2. Health and Well-Being
- Identify and provide trauma-informed, mental health servicesand programs that address and impactwomen, particularly low-income, pregnant, parenting, or
unhoused women.
-Ensure health equity in programs, treatment, research andaccess to healthcare for the diversity of women across the
lifespan.
3. Economic Opportunity and Security
-Promote the City’s family and work/life balance THRIVE
policies to encourage the establishment and development
of accessible, affordable, and quality childcare facilities;
paid family and sick leave; and family-friendly work policies.
-Encourage the use of public education at all appropriate levels
to facilitate women’s financial literacy and equity to
access banking, credit, loans, mortgages and other forms
of economic opportunity and security.
-Develop more training opportunities to facilitate hiring and
selection of qualified women and others under-represented
for employment in higher paid and livable- wage Union
jobs.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward working together forthe betterment of our City and all residents.
Sincerely,
JanJan Stroutpronouns: she/ella
co-leader, Bozeman City for CEDAW Task Force
and Member, National Cities for CEDAW Advisory Boardwww.citiesforcedaw.orgBozeman, Montana