COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS
New Zealand Group

New Zealand Women MPs celebrate International Women’s Day

The Co-Chairpersons of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) New Zealand Group, Louisa Wall MP and Jo Hayes MP convened a meeting of women parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to celebrate International Women’s Day today. This year’s theme is ‘Pledge For Parity” which encourages individuals, men and women, throughout the world to pledge to move from talk to purposeful action to ensure gender parity.

The CWP New Zealand Group is part of one of the largest international women’s organisations founded in 1989. It is a unique forum for women parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to come together and promote gender equality. The CWP works towards increasing women’s representation in Parliament and the mainstreaming of gender considerations in legislative and policy decisions. Today’s meeting had a particular focus on the role that male MPs could play in supporting the objectives of the CWP.

“The World Economic Forum estimates at current rates gender parity will not be achieved until 2133. Put simply, this is not fast enough and we need concrete commitment from across the political divide to do more. Women and girls are still disadvantaged in a range areas including health, education, safety and leadership. We are pleased that so many of our male counterparts in the New Zealand Parliament are pledging for parity to improve the lives of women and our country,” the Co-Chairpersons said.

“We are heartened that the New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key MP has said that ‘we need more women in Parliaments and as political leaders because they bring different experiences to the table. New Zealand has benefitted from women holding many of the top offices in our country, including two women Prime Ministers. Public offices should be more representative of the population.’”

As it marks International Women’s Day, the CWP NZ will also consider ways in which it can further support an increase in women’s participation in parliaments in the Pacific Region and the contribution it will make to the 2016 Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Partnerships Forum to be held in Samoa.

ENDS

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