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APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution adopting the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
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Summary
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), often referred to as the “Bill of Rights” for women, is a landmark international agreement adopted by the United Nations that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW offers countries and governments worldwide a blueprint to promote basic rights and to open opportunities for women and girls in all areas of society.
Council is asked to approve a resolution adopting the CEDAW principles in order to promote the redress of persisting inequities as it relates to gender equality and equity in Stockton.
DISCUSSION
Background
On December 18, 1979, the United Nations General Assembly adopted CEDAW. In 1980 President Carter signed CEDAW; however, despite ongoing advocacy, it has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate.
In 1998, San Francisco became the first municipality in the world to adopt a local ordinance reflecting the principles of CEDAW; the City of Los Angeles followed in 2006. Other U.S. cities including Honolulu, Hawaii; Berkeley, California; as well as Miami, Florida, have also enacted similar initiatives.
In June 2014, the United States Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution encouraging cities to adopt CEDAW.
Present Situation
In July 2017, the Office of the Mayor and the San Joaquin Community Data Co-Op announced the Report on the Status of Women in Stockton. The Report, which will be released in April 2018, is rooted in census, survey, and focus group data that will underscore existing gender disparities and provide an overview of how women from various population groups, including women of color, young women, older women, and immigrant women, fare. The Report will analyze data along six key dimensions-- basic demographics; education, employment, and income; crime and safety; health and well-being; and political participation.
While full report results are not yet available, preliminary analyses indicate that 52% of Stockton’s population is female and that 26% of all women in Stockton are immigrants. Stockton has a higher rate of single motherhood than the state and the nation -- 21% of all households in Stockton are headed by single mothers, as compared to 13.6% in California and 13% in the United States. Education and employment outcomes for women in Stockton lag severely behind outcomes for women in the state and nation-- only 54% of Stockton women ages 16-64 participate in the labor force, compared to 59% of women in the U.S. and only 17% of Stockton women have a bachelor’s degree or higher, as compared to 31% of women in California and 30% of women in the U.S. Furthermore, 27% of Stockton’s female population lives below the poverty line, compared to 17% of women in California; nearly 50% of Stockton households that are headed by single mothers are below the poverty line. Upon publication in April 2018, the full and detailed report will allow policymakers and non-profit leaders to improve outcomes for women, target resources strategically and to craft data-driven solutions that uplift and forge paths towards equality and opportunity for women.
These disparities not only spurred the commissioning of the Report on the Status of Women in Stockton, but also call for the adoption of CEDAW as a way to draw focus, resources, and intentionality toward addressing these challenges.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are no immediate financial impacts associated with approving this resolution. Future initiatives consistent with the principles of this resolution may bear potential costs, but have yet to be identified or proposed for Council action.