Kauai Sun

Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women issued the following announcement on Dec. 17.

The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women has led an initiative supporting a feminist economic recovery plan from COVID-19 for the County of Kaua‘i. A Resolution for this initiative was introduced by Councilwoman Felicia Cowden and Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro, and unanimously passed by the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday.

The legislation is based on the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women’s plan called “Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs,” which is the nation’s first feminist economic recovery plan for COVID-19.

“The County of Kauai’s robust recovery initiative would provide inclusiveness for women including job stimulus funding in unemployment benefits, prevention of sex trafficking of women, child abuse and to provide social services support for women during these stressful times from the pandemic,” stated Edie Ignacio Neumiller, Kaua‘i Commissioner on the Hawai‘i State Commission on the

Status of Women, during her testimony to the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday.

Resolution 2021-04 recognizes that COVID-19 has magnified long-standing inequalities of women and LGBTQ people in Hawai‘i. It urges policy makers to view the pandemic through a gendered lens and incorporate principles of equity, inclusion, and social and economic justice into county programs centered on COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

“This Resolution is in alignment with the pro-active funding and policies that the County of Kaua‘i has made recognizing the disproportionate burden placed on women throughout the COVID-19 timeframe,” said Councilmember Felicia Cowden. 

“Women carry a heavier share of the elder care,

childcare, and endurance of violence in this time of social distancing, remote education, and work. We

stand with municipalities around the world emphasizing the need for economic fairness to women.”

“The Kaua‘i County Council thanks and stands united with our County’s Commission on the Status of Women in bringing this important Resolution to the forefront as we deal with what will be a very difficult economic recovery,” said Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro. “We cannot stress the importance of inclusivity in all areas of our decision-making and in ensuring the voices of Kaua‘i’s women are heard.”

To view Resolution 2021-04, visit www.kauai.gov/Council/Resolutions.

To view the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women’s report, “Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs,” visit www.kauai.gov/KCCSW.

Original source can be found here.