House Committee on Human Services (HSH) - chair: Sonson, vice chair: Cabanilla

Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 9:10 a.m. Roon 329

Testifier: Jean Aoki, Legislative Chair, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HB2788

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii strongly supports the adequate funding of the State Commission on the Status of Women to enable it to fulfil its stated goals. While women have made great strides in improving their status as individuals in what is still a male-dominated society, they have quite a ways to go. It is not easy changing attitudes toward women whether by men or by women themselves. It is a slow process and needs proactive efforts like those that the Commission on the Status of Women can provide through its own projects and in coordinating and facilitating efforts by other community groups. It is not enough for them to meet periodically and discuss issues for women and plan programs to meet women’s needs unless they can implement these plans through various programs. To make this agency even more effective, it requires proper funding. We urge you to meet the commission’s request for $50,000 to fund programs that will help women compete fairly in this very competitive world. We thank you for this opportunity to testify on HB 2788.