CWP NEWS AND REGIONAL STRENGTHENING
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) News and Regional Strengthening Activities
to improving their lives. Ways to improve women’s representation in local and central government was explored, including leveraging existing women leaders in non- governmental organisations, rural and community groups, small business, and in sports. It was agreed that it was not simply a matter of increasing the number of women candidates, but ensuring they were able to succeed in their roles once elected.
New Zealand and
Solomon Islands Women Parliamentarians meet to promote dialogue on gender related issues The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians New Zealand (CWP NZ) Branch sought out opportunities for Members to discuss and act on gender-related and other issues in New Zealand and the Pacific Region. The CWP NZ Co-Chairs Jo Hayes MP and Louisa Wall MP and Pacific Regional Chair, Poto Williams MP were delighted to meet with Solomon Islands’ Ministers Hon. Freda Tuki Soriocomua, Minister of Women, Youth & Children’s Affairs, Hon. John Dean Kuku, Minister of Public Service, accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Joy Kere, High
Commissioner to New Zealand (image above).
The visit of Minister Tuki and Minister Kuku took place under the New Zealand emerging leaders’ programme of the Pacific Partnership Fund. The principal objective of the programme is to build the capacity of emerging Pacific leaders. Minister Tuki is the sole female member of a 50 seat Parliament. Her visit provided an important chance to build relationships with New Zealand Parliamentarians and is part of a wider effort to support effective governance and capacity building in the Solomon Islands. Minister Tuki shared experiences around family violence and child safety legislation. Violence is seen an indicator of the status of women and girls, and its eradication key
The CWP NZ will mark International Women’s Day on 8 March and continue its work to promote women’s representation in partnership with parliaments in the Pacific Region.
CWP Pacific meeting between New Zealand and Tuvalu discusses womens’ representation Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Pacific Region Steering Committee Member Hon. Munokoa Poto Williams MP from the New Zealand Parliament met with Dr Puakena Boreham, the only female MP in the Parliament of Tuvalu (below left) and they spoke about how mentoring and connections between women members in the Pacific can enhance performance and confidence in the House and its committees.
Women Parliamentarians discuss policy and legislative developments for empowering women Members and representatives of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians International Steering Committee - Hon. Meenakashi Lekhi MP (India); Lisa Dempster MHA (Canada); Hon. Catherine Cusack MLC (Australia); Patricia Ferguson MSP and Roberta Blackman- Woods MP (UK) - attended the CWP Women Parliamentarians British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference which took place in Guernsey (below right). The theme of the annual conference was “Influencing Policy and Legislation for the Empowerment of Women”. Presentations were delivered by a range of high-profile academics, a medical professional, as well as Parliamentarians from the BIMR as well as other Commonwealth nations such as Australia and Canada. Delegates discussed a range of key topics including employment, health and education policies for females, the gender pay gap, gender budgeting, and health disparities and inequalities for both men and women.
68 | The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One
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