Page 15 - IB Nov 2017

Women Women Time for action: P17
Investment bread of life: P18

SPORTS OPINION

Discriminatory laws affect women in business

3-year mendations to uphold gender equality and
Pacific Ministers have adopted recom-

women’s human rights across the regional
journey development and resilience agenda and
to promote these regional priorities in the
global development and climate change
agenda when the 13th Trienniel Confer-
begins ence on women ended in Fiji.
The conference encouraged the develop-
ment and strengthening of partnerships
between women and men, and between
government institutions, CSOs, FBOs,
unions and the private sector to promote
gender equality and the human rights of
women of all diversities in the work place,
establish high-level corporate leadership
by Nanise Volau
of gender equality to advance policies to
THE Pacific journey for the next three address gender-based violence, discrimi-
years to maximise benefits and achieve Women make up a big percentage of market vendors in nation and sexual harassment.
positive impact on the lives of women and the region but are disadvantaged. Photo: File The outcome document also promoted
girls in the region begins now following Ministerial Meeting conducted during my the appointment of women to leadership
a successful four-day conference in Fiji leadership as Director General and I am positions, support family life education
last month. very much encouraged by your commit- that promotes gender equality and hu-
More than 200 women from 21 coun- ment and enthusiasm to champion this man rights, including SRHR, support the
tries and territories reached consensus in work and to take it forward with full force initiatives of CSOs to challenge harmful
an outcome document which will be the despite the challenges that we continue to gender norms, gender-based violence and
guiding policy for advancing the Pacific’s face in promoting gender equality.” discriminatory practices, and to promote
gender equality agenda in the next three Much has been said about the Pacific’s equality and the human rights of women
years. collective commitments and the need to and girls of all diversities.
Women leaders also discussed the strengthen their voice as a sector and as It also promotes a safe and enabling en-
economic standing of 4.5 million women a region towards progressing their issues vironment for all civil society actors, with
and girls across the greater Pacific region. in discussions at various levels. a specific focus on women human rights
Despite making up half the region’s popu- Pacific leaders are now engaged in defenders, and more equitable access to
lation, women continue to be economically COP23 discussions and the women’s resources for grassroots, local, national
under-represented due to discriminatory sector has an outcome document that and regional women’s organisations and
laws, and the social and cultural norms can take forward their regional positons CSOs to support women in asserting their
which place unrealistic expectations on in regards to gender and climate change. economic rights and mobilise resources
their responsibilities for home and fam- “Our duty as leaders in this sector is to and sustain investment to advance gender
ily care. engage with our colleagues leading the equality.
Pacific Community director-general Dr COP 23 discussions so that our briefs on Pacific Island countries and territories
Colin Tukuitonga said the conference gender and climate change are informed (PICTs), CROP agencies and development
covered some good grounds to strengthen by the relevant advice and documenta- partners have been tasked to establish
political commitment and facilitate the tion, including the outcome document,” or support the implementation of, and
enabling environment required to pursue Tukuitonga concluded. reporting on, existing commitments with
gender equality. Meanwhile, strong and effective part- accountability mechanisms that women’s
He said this was in line with the Lead- nerships at all levels of Pacific govern- human rights are protected within mac-
ers Declaration on Gender Equality, the ments and the private sector are required roeconomic policies, in structural reforms
SAMOA Pathway, the 2030 Sustainable to lift women’s economic empowerment by and trade agreements, government budget
Development Agenda and the Framework developing and implementing policies and is invested in basic infrastructure and
for Pacific Regionalism. practices that support their employment services that contribute to alleviating the
“I have been impressed with the high and entrepreneurship. burden of unpaid care work and support
levels of energy, enthusiasm and never The Council of Regional Organisations women’s economic empowerment and re-
wavering commitment to gender equality in the Pacific (CROP) agencies and devel- moval of barriers to women’s participation
and women’s human rights,” Tukuitonga opment partners must ensure their own in the workforce and in decision-making,
said. programmes are gender responsive and and enforcement of equal opportunity
“This is my first Triennial since becom- support women’s economic empower- practices.
ing DG, as it is also the first Triennial and ment. q nvolau@gmail.com

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