Women from across Lake County recently participated in a free community conversation as part of the Voices of Florida Women project. The workshop, hosted by the Women’s Giving Alliance of the Community Foundation South Lake and the City of Clermont, was held at the Clermont City Center.
The year-long Voices project, sponsored by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW), is intended to help gain a comprehensive understanding of issues impacting Florida women and their families. A report with the findings and recommendations will be released in January 2020.
During the workshop, the following challenges were identified by attendees:
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- Education (available and easy access to technical and special program training)
- Jobs with Fair Pay, job security and benefits
- Affordable housings
- Affordable elderly care, childcare, and special needs care & services
- Easy access to public transportation
- Affordable healthcare insurance that provides adequate coverage
- Access to organizations dealing with mental health/domestic violence /drug abuse/ Special needs
- Food and Shelter (for homeless and hungry)
Possible Solutions:
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- Placing women in leadership roles
- Diversity/Inclusion
- Coordination of Available Resources
- Look to other states for solutions that work
- Funding/Land donations
- Early intervention and student awareness
- Elect leaders who care and will facilitate change
- Expand Services Countywide
“The Florida Commission on the Status of Women hopes to gain the best possible understanding of Florida women’s concerns,” said Commission Chair Lady Dhyana Ziegler, DCJ, Ph.D. “We are encouraging women from across Florida to talk to us about the challenges they encounter in their everyday lives so we may share their concerns at the local, state, and national levels. Providing this data to key decision-makers and leaders will help make positive changes for all women and families.”
LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD – A comprehensive online survey is available to those unable to attend a live session. https://clermontvoices.eventbrite.com.
