DC Office of Human Rights | Volume XXXVV | March 2022
March is Women's History Month!
“There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen.
There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”
Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Activist, Blogger
 
This year, the National Women’s History Month Alliance’s theme for Women’s History Month is: “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”. It is a “tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”
What's Inside
  • Director’s Note
  • Protected Trait
  • What’s New and Upcoming
  • Events and Observances
Interim Director's Note

Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends,

Gender equality is an international human right. Yet, despite significant advances, including legal protections, no country has fully achieved it. In 2021, it was reported that only 10 out of almost 200 countries achieved total legal protections for women.
 
Even with legal protections, there is still much to be done like educating women about their rights and educating our communities about gender parity. Nearly 60 percent of women around the world work in the informal economy. This means that they earn less, save less, and are at greater risk of falling into poverty. Globally, women earn 23 percent less than men. On average, women spend more than twice as many hours as men doing unpaid work around the world. COVID-19 further highlighted this issue as the pandemic increased burden of unpaid care of children, elderly, and the sick was disproportionately taken on by women. Additionally, women suffered more than half of the total job losses caused by the pandemic.  We must do more to achieve gender equality and close the gender gap. According to the current rate of progress, it will take another 108 years to reach gender parity. The biggest gaps to close are economic and political empowerment, which will take 202 and 107 years to close respectively.   

Fortunately, in the District of Columbia, we have a number of protections in place to make sure women can have equal right to work, compensation and an environment in which women can achieve both their career and life goals. For example, the D.C. Human Rights Act protects against the following forms of discrimination that may affect women: sex, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, familial status, status as a victim of intrafamily offense, sexual offense or stalking. In addition, District laws prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy, related medical condition, breastfeeding and reproductive health decision. Most recently, the District required paid family leave under the Universal Paid Leave Act. 

Women are vital members of the global community. We can honor their roles and contributions by fighting for gender equality through collective action and shared ownership. Achieving gender equality means a better quality of life for everyone. You can learn more about our women sheroes and find ways to celebrate women with the D.C. Public Library here.

In solidarity,
,
Hnin Khaing, Interim Director
Trait of the Month: Sex
Sex is a protected trait under the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977. Sex refers to a person’s gender AND includes pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health decisions, and sexual harassment.

DID YOU KNOW? The idiom, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” was an ad slogan created by Listerine in the 1920s? Like other companies, Listerine decided to increase their profits by targeting women with shame ads. They positioned themselves as a beauty tool and saw their profits rise from $100,000 in 1921 to over $4 million in 1927.
What's New and Upcoming
The District of Columbia’s Department of Human Resources (DCHR) announces its first hiring event of 2022, “New Year, New Career Virtual Hiring Fair.” On Wednesday, March 16th and Thursday, March 17th, the DC Department of Human Resources will focus on enhancing the interaction between residents, recruiters and hiring managers in the District of Columbia Government using a virtual platform. The event is free and registration is required for jobseekers.  
OHR Relaunching Listening Labs
The relaunch of listening Labs will provide a safe and productive environment for individuals can engage in productive and respectful dialogue around who we are as a city and our values of inclusion and equity for all.

OHR Overview and Discrimination Protections in the District 
March 24, 2022, 6-7 pm at Shaw Library

The first listening lab is focused on protections against discrimination in the District. It will start with an introduction of OHR’s Interim Director, Hnin Khaing; and then a brief presentation on who and what OHR is by Ajan Brown. Following this, those attending will be split into smaller groups with an OHR facilitator. During this time, individuals are encouraged to speak about the topic and express their opinions. OHR will be writing comments and ideas to report back with. These opinions are confidential, and people will remain anonymous unless requested. Light refreshments will be provided.
Stand Up Against Street Harassment Training - Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policies & Initiatives and the Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs
March 29th, 6 pm
Human Rights Liaison Program 2.0
March 31st, 2022
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
**Virtual**
(Registration opens March 15 and closes March 29)
The purpose of this new training program is to prepare liaisons to 1) identify discrimination and 2) assist/support complainants in filing a complaint with the appropriate agency. This introductory 5-hour training will focus on four main components: 
  • Increasing Understanding, in which we will cover a brief history of human rights and D.C.’s role in the struggle. 
  • Reducing Prejudice, in which we will dive into identifying discrimination and providing reasonable accommodations. 
  • Ending Discrimination, in which we will examine what happens after discrimination occurs and the proper channels to file a complaint. 
  • The Role of a Human Rights Liaison. 

What you’ll get from the 2.0 training: 
  • An interactive, accessible learning experience 
  • Strategies for preventing discrimination through education 
  • Supplementary trainings that focus on specific areas, i.e. discrimination in employment or housing, the 21 protected traits, etc. (to be offered at a later date) 

If you have questions please reach out to Dr. Mia Carey, Training Specialist (REAR) at mia.carey@dc.gov.
Events and Observances
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan designated March as National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Developmental disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas, and include:
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Learning or intellectual disabilities
  • Hearing Loss
  • Vision Impairment
  • Other developmental delays
The month seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life and raising awareness about the difficulties they continue to face.
International Women's Day
March 8th
The theme for this year is ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” Like the theme for the month, it celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daylight Saving Time
March 13th
 
Don’t forget to change your clocks!
National Pi Day
March 14th
Annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi or 3.14)
St. Patrick's Day
March 17th

St. Patrick’s Day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.
March 20- April 17
 
Peak Bloom is officially predicted for March 22 - 25, 2022. 
DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov