Recognizing the Project on the Status of Girls and Young Women in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, A broad based coalition of organizations is commissioning a comprehensive look at the state of girls and young women ages twenty four and under in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The project will include quantitative and qualitative research with support from the Institute for Women's Policy Research for the purposes of providing centralized, reliable baseline data on the socioeconomic status, educational opportunity, crime and personal safety and health and well being of Philadelphia's girls and young women; and

WHEREAS, The quantitative component will also establish the basis for coordinated, data driven programs and funding priorities that support girls and young women, create a platform for advocacy and community dialogue on issues affecting girls and young women and serve as a catalyst for creating a policy agenda to better support the needs and interests of girls and young women; and

WHEREAS, The qualitative research will ensure that the voices of girls and young women are firmly embedded in the project by allowing girls and young women to serve as researchers, documentarians, advocates and co-facilitators of community conversations through electronic surveys, focus groups and a multi-medium reflection of the lives of girls and young women in response to all data collected; and

WHEREAS, The findings from the research will be used as the centerpiece for public hearings within each Council district to consider the implications of the Project for creating stronger programs, policies, practices and funding priorities that lead to girls' and young women's successful transition to adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Public policy making, resource allocation and coordinated service delivery and educational systems would be well served to have up-to-date data that reflects the current status as well as the hopes and dreams of girls and young women; and

WHEREAS, This City Council resolution responds to the needs of girls and young women in the City of Philadelphia by supporting public hearings and an assessment of the data currently collected by its public agencies and service providers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, That we hereby recognize the Project on the Status of Girls and Young Women in Philadelphia.

Further Resolved, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Coalition on the Status of Girls and Young Women in Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End