Council Green Lights Women's Study

In conjunction with West Hollywood's ongoing demographic study, the City Council directed staff to complete a report on the status of women in the community.

Council members voted unanimously Jan. 22 to commission a study that focuses on how women are doing in the realm of economics and access to social services.

In addition to the community study that is expected to finish in April, the report will build on the work of the Women's Foundation of California, Mount St. Mary's College and the West Hollywood Women's Advisory Board.

"The intention is that the report would fold into our community survey results," said Councilman John Heilman.

"The city's community study contains a very useful profile about the women of the city that includes important demographic data and questionnaire results on key questions used to assess the needs of the community," according to a staff report. "This profile provides great information about the concerns of women. However, a comprehensive report on the status of women in West Hollywood would have a broader scope and could expand upon this profile as well."

The council authorized $5,000 to cover consulting, design and printing costs of producing the women's study that aren't part of the broader community study's budget, according to the staff report.

"We're pretty confident that the money we are going to allocate should cover it," Mayor Pro Tempore Abbe Land said. "But I know that if we think there's somethng or we've learned something along the way and we want to delve deeper, then I'm positive that we can come back to the council and get the resources we need."

Categories the women's status report may address include:

• Population
• Age
• Households
• Earning
• Poverty
• Rent/Housing
• Education
• Workforce/Industry
• Physical and Mental Health
• Violence
• Civic Involvement and Leadership
• Available Services
• Economic Impact

The city's Social Services Division will coordinate the report and incorporate input from Weho advisory boards, commissions as well as the Public Safety and Rent Stabilization and Housing divisions.

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