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Progress for women is progress for all

1 June 2006

More than 80 women parliamentarians and ministers from Asia and the Pacific are meeting in Wellington next week to formulate a collective action plan to address gender disparities in the region.

In developing the plan, they will explore how governance at national and local level should consider the gender impact of policies and strategies on both women and men and on the issues critically important to this region.

These issues include gender inequality, discrimination and violence, reproductive health and rights, said Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick, who is chair of the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD) who are organising the meeting.

One of the keys to sustainable development in the region will be recognising the costs of discrimination, making them visible to policy makers and families, and designing ways to eliminate them, she said. 

“It is imperative that the differences in men’s and women’s lives are recognised, including those that lead to social and economic inequity.”

For example, the empowerment of women through education, access to reproductive health services and a halt to gender-based violence are critical to poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific, Ms Chadwick said.

“Violence against women takes a steep toll on women’s health, well-being and social participation. The costs to countries – in increased health care expenditures, legal fees, policing and losses in educational achievement and productivity – are commensurately high. This is an issue of serious concern in the region, and one that is receiving attention in the form of legislative review, task forces, and increased support services.”

Although traditionally powerful, women’s low status in the Pacific now means they often lack decision-making power and the economic independence to gain access to reproductive health services, Ms Chadwick said.

“This perpetuates poverty. For example, women who cannot time and space their children find it difficult to invest resources into the health and education of each child, and thereby risk passing on poverty to the next generation. Adolescent girls from poor households are more likely to marry and start childbearing early, which disrupts their schooling and limits their future employment opportunities and economic independence.”

New Zealand MPs and Ministers participating in the meeting include Lianne Dalziel, Nanaia Mahuta, Ruth Dyson, and Winston Peters. Addresses are also expected from Prime Minister Helen Clark and Speaker Margaret Wilson

Ms Chadwick said New Zealand MPs hope to be able to share information and experience on strategies that have worked well in New Zealand.  

“For example, while we still have some way to go, we have reasonably sound legislative and policy frameworks in place to address the issue of violence against women and children. Progress has been made over the last ten years, and there are many positive trends and programmes that show that positive change is possible.”

Funded by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), the conference will take place at Parliament 11-12 June, and is entitled: “Gender responsive governance – the key to the population and development agenda”.

ENDS

Did you know that every minute around the world...
•	one woman dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
•	10 teenage girls undergo an unsafe abortion.
•	13 infants under 12 months die
•	57 people catch an STI
•	11 people are infected with HIV
•	the population increases by 150 people

Family Planning Saves Lives.  Click here to find out more.   Click here for the latest headlines in International Family Planning, Population, Reproductive Health and the Environment.