Los Angeles County leaders took a big step this week to make sure women and girls get equal treatment.
The LA County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year effort that directs all 37 county departments to watch out for the needs of women and girls. The initiative takes a three-prong approach: it will look out for women and girls in the services it provides, as well as women working with or employed by the county.
Women and girls in LA County are disproportionately affected by poverty in LA County -- nearly 20 percent live in poverty. And, since 2013, there's been a 55 percent increase in the number of homeless women. Alex Cohen spoke with Supervisor Hilda Solis, who introduced the initiative with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Solis, a former Congresswoman and U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Obama, explained the reason behind the initiative and the change she hopes it will bring about.