YWCA supports Dame Shipley’s stance on Honouring New Zealanders

NZ's first woman Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley has publically queried the ratio of men to women (1/3rd) receiving recognition for their services to New Zealand in the honours announced this Queen’s Birthday.

Current Prime Minister John Key points out that honours can't be given to people just because they're women - does this mean men do more meaningful work? Of course not, maybe New Zealanders are simply not good enough at nominating women. Interestingly the Cabinet Appointment and Honours Committee has 14 members, 4 of whom are women. Perhaps there could be some re-dress here so that members are more easily able to identify with the works undertaken by the individuals nominated.

The YWCA Auckland is one of many organisations working to empower women toward gender equity, however we need the likes of our Prime Minister to fully understand and recognise that for women the gender gap is broadening. Let’s start at the top, recognising the contribution women make is often different from the contribution made by men.

The next round is the New Year’s Honours and the YWCA will certainly be doing its part to ensure that as many deserving women as possible are nominated.
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