Page 37 - IB May 2018 Edition

Indepth

on women empowerment? today. To be sure, there has been progress now?
but we are not completely there yet. WUTMI
Dr Heine: Before I became a leader, I was (the women’s group I mentioned before) Dr Heine: The advancement and well-
and continue to be a mother. A mother’s role advocacy work assisted with the family law, being of women and girls is correlated to
is to keep things in harmony within the fam- victims of violence infrastructure, education the advancement of a people, a nation, and
ily and to look for solutions, for challenges programmes for women in politics and a region. In my speech at the 13th Triennial
facing the family – an important quality for ensuring human rights for all. It is because Conference in Fiji I stated that “one woman
any leader. Mothers and women in general of this work that there are 3 women in our in position is hardly adequate; the collective
are more resilient and adaptable and have the Parliament, a notable achievement even if 9 power of many speaks volumes whether it is
capacity to think and empathise with others. per cent of women in parliament is a far cry local, national or regional.” As stated earlier,
We must promote women’s leadership in from the UN recommended 30 per cent mini- the Pacific region holds some of the highest
communities because their brand of leader- mum. Education is the key to getting more incidences of violence against women in the
ship is compassionate, all-encompassing women engaged and empowered. However, world; lowest rate of women parliamentarian
and generally about others. Despite these Marshallese women still earn seventy cents of all regions of the world; average labour
universal truths, gender inequality persists in to every dollar earned by men; labour force participation rate is between 30-40 per cent;
our communities. We must address gender engagement is still low at 30 per cent and and the health of our women and children is
inequality. It is the key to women empower- violence against women still plagues nearly generally poor. The political will and com-
ment economically, politically and socially. 50 per cent of RMI women. mitment from our leaders is imperative.
More importantly, it is crucial for women We cannot just sign some gender declara-
to empower one another. We cannot afford IB: You have a poet daughter - Kathy tions and hope for the best without putting
to leave anyone behind. Marshallese tradi- Jetnil Kijiner -who has been listed as resources in areas needed to lift women out
tion holds important roles for women and one of the Pacific Communities’ 70 and into full participation in all sectors of
these are expressed in our Jabon Kennaan inspiring women of the region. What society. I would like to see violence against
or proverbs. do you think of that? women end. More women in leadership roles
and economically empowered are needed to
Dr Heine: I am proud of Kathy. We are
IB: Do you think Pacific Women are make better choices for themselves and their
better off now than 10 years ago? both advocates on climate change, nuclear families. I hope we have bridged the gaps and
justice for victims of the US nuclear testing broken the barriers for women and girls in
Dr Heine: There have been improvements programme in the RMI and women empow- our region from participating equally and fully
in the status of women overall, but not erment. It is not often we both get to speak, in their homes, communities and countries.
nearly enough. Progress in economic and as mother and daughter, on the international
political empowerment of women and girls stage, but she is a very effective and passion- IB: What are some of the issues that
are noted but not in significant measures. The ate communicator. She is reaching a younger you champion in your country?
Pacific region still holds the lowest percent generation who are just as passionate on the
of women in parliaments in the entire world. fight towards climate justice. Dr Heine: My government is working
Violence against women is still rampant on Agenda 2020 where it identifies and
across the region. As long as there is vio- IB: If you have to do something differ- addresses major national challenges and
lence against women and gender inequality ently as a woman, what would it be? priority reforms by focusing on a responsive
persists, the level playing field is not there and accountable government, leading to
for these women. Where progress is noted Dr Heine: Our resources in the Pacific economic development. All of our efforts
and appreciated is in education and training. are limited. Focusing more resources on lead towards making health, education and
empowering women is the key to a healthy economic standards of living for Marshallese
IB: How about Marshallese women, and educated Pacific. Healthy and educated better, not only as families and individuals,
what is their status now compared women mean healthy and educated wife, but as communities as well. Increasing
to 10 years ago? mothers, leaders and policy makers, leading minimum wage for employees, raising copra
to healthy, educated and productive families, prices for copra makers in rural communities
Dr Heine: In the RMI, we have women clans, island communities and nations. We are examples of support to the vulnerable and
pioneers who helped paved the way and en- have to believe in the concept of Jined Ilo those often marginalised in our community,
abled younger women’s voices, three notable Kobo and commit our resources to ensur- including women, the physically challenged,
mentions are Mrs. Mary Lanwi, Mrs. Carmen ing that our women are empowered so that elderlies, as well as rural residents. Safe
Bigler and Mrs. Evelyn Konou. In the public the Pacific we all want will be possible and and clean environment is another issue that
sector, these women broke glass ceilings achievable. As long as half of the population we are tackling; cleaning the environment
in their professional achievements. They in each of our countries continue to contrib- by enacting legislation to ban plastics and
were dedicated, passionate, and showed ute only half as much as they can contribute, foam products including laws on recycling
in their careers that women can be trusted we will never be fully empowered. and increasing commitment towards quality
and be as responsible outside the homes education, and continuing and maintaining
as well. Their sacrifices made a difference IB: How would you like to see the the fight against climate change and seeking
for women’s place in Marshallese societies women of the region, 10 years from nuclear justice.

Islands Business, May 2018 37