HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0953.014 2014-2016 COMM. °15:
September 6, 2016
1y
To: Members of the Hawai'i County Council
From: Dr. Trina Nahm-Mijo
Re: In Strong Support of Res. 568-16 n.
12
As a Professor of Women's Studies and someone who has been active in our community
fighting against domestic violence and other forms of discrimination against women for the past
40 years, I am writing in support of Res. 568-16 which proposes to adopt the principles of the
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW)for the County of Hawai'i. CEDAW was adopted in 1979 by the UN General
Assembly and entered into force in 1981. I am asking the Council to adopt these principles
because the United States is still one of only seven countries not to have ratified the convention
which is a source of shame as the leader of the free world. We can start taking steps in our own
community and affirming the importance of upholding these basic human rights principles.
The purpose of the convention is to improve the status of women,to improve healthcare,
employment, economic opportunity, education, and to eliminate violence against women. This is
an opportunity for the County of Hawaii to make ending all forms of discrimination a priority;
to prevent discrimination and to ensure gender equality in our community. I believe that sexual
assault and domestic violence survivors should be treated with respect, the same respect that
survivors of other crimes are given; and that law enforcement officers should receive on-going
training in the handling of those cases. This is also an opportunity to ensure that women in
Hawai'i County have pay equity;that their workplaces are safe from sexual harassment; and that
they have equal opportunity for advancement. It is of utmost importance that you pass Res. 568-
16. We owe it to our girls and boys, our families, and our community.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.
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