Sue
Moroney
Women’s Affairs Spokesperson
labour.org.nz

8 March 2012

International Women’s Day brings the Government’s lack of progress on women’s issues into sharp focus, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson, Sue Moroney.

“Not only has National made no progress on its three priorities for women – to increase women’s participation in leadership, economic independence and safety – but today they have lowered the target for getting more women on state sector boards,” Sue Moroney said.

“The Ministry of Women’s Affairs informed the Government Administration Select Committee that Labour’s target of 50 per cent, for representation of women on boards by 2012, has been reduced to 45 per cent by 2014.

“National is content for women’s representation on private sector boards to be as little as 10 per cent,” Sue Moroney said.

"The representation of women on state sector boards rose to 41% under Labour and has not moved since.

“The Government has had more than three years to make progress on its three goals for women. They have commissioned research and had glitzy launches, but no progress has been made on those goals.

“Labour has specific plans to support women by extending paid parental leave, exploring legislation to help close the pay gap and taking a bi-partisan approach to preventing domestic and sexual violence,” Sue Moroney said.

ENDS

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