pacific women's bureau news

final outcomes : women in parliament

2006-06-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM

PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS

Rarotonga, Cook Islands
19 – 21 April, 2006

FINAL OUTCOMES DOCUMENT

PREAMBLE

Noting that the representation of women in politics is critical to achieving democracy, the wellbeing of communities and improving the status of women, parliamentarians, ministers, national directors and civil society organisation delegates from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, at the Pacific Regional Workshop on Advancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments held in Rarotonga, from 19-21 April 2006, endorsed the following outcomes.

Despite international commitments to gender equality; notably CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals and UNSCR1325, women’s participation in decision making and women’s representation in Pacific parliaments is amongst the lowest in the world. We note with concern that most Governments have yet to realise these commitments and allocate necessary financial and technical resources.

We also note with concern the decline in direct donor support to advancing women in politics.

Recalling the Auckland 2004 Forum Leaders call to address the low levels of women in decision-making, within the framework of the Pacific Plan and consistent with the Pacific Platform for Action and its emerging critical areas of concern;

Considering the findings and recommendations from PIFS and UNIFEM commissioned research on barriers to women’s political representation; taking into account the importance of engaging men, women and youth in communities, and the media, to advance women’s representation in parliament;

Emphasising the need to strengthen partnerships between National Women’s Machineries, Ministers, Members of Parliament, civil society, regional and international organisations and the donor community, to build political will to address the issue of women’s political representation;

The meeting endorsed the need to urgently address barriers to women’s representation and participation in Pacific parliaments through the following Regional and National actions:

REGIONAL ACTIONS

PIFS to establish a monitoring centre for the Advancement of Women in Politics and decision-making in Forum Island Countries. The monitoring centre would:

Coordinate, collect, analyse and disseminate data on the political, socio-economic and legal status of women in FICs in partnership with international and regional intergovernmental, national institutions and non-governmental institutions and partners such as UNIFEM, SPC Pacific Women’s Bureau, UNDP including the Pacific Sub Regional Centre (PSRC) and Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) and the University of the South Pacific.

Maintain a database on the status of women in the region which is accessible to the public, and exchange data on a regular basis with countries, regional and international partners.

Establish and maintain an electronic network throughout the region.

Provide policy advice to the respective divisions of the Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Plan Office on achieving political and economic equality of women and men, drawing on relevant research, networks and national input.

Providing policy advice and working closely with the Forum Member Countries on implementing special measures to increase women’s representation in parliaments.

II PIFS to initiate and coordinate sub-regional workshops on special measures and electoral reform to promote the political representation of women with international and regional partners and selected FICs.

The workshops should:

include key decision-makers and stakeholders
be organised with national, regional and international partners with specialisation in these areas
use indigenous researchers; and
where feasible, be extended to include Pacific Forum Observers.

III PIFS to facilitate in collaboration with regional partners and donors, the continuity of support, including funding and legal advice, to Member Countries, National Women’s Machineries and Non Government Organisations to enable special measures to be pursued.

IV PIFS with national and regional partners to initiate and/or support for further research on:

barriers and opportunities for women’s representation and participation in decision-making
local government and traditional leadership including the roles of women;
voting patterns; and family voting
linkages between women, politics and media

Research endorsed by PIFS should be tabled with the respective national parliaments.
V Regional agencies and stakeholders including SPC, PIFS, USP, UNIFEM and UNDP (including PSRC and RRRT) and PINA are encouraged to support Pacific media and women in politics initiatives aimed at increasing quality coverage of the current status of women in Pacific politics, and challenging negative stereotypes about women as political leaders.

VII The importance of gender related issues such as increasing the proportion of women in decision-making positions, especially parliament, be included on the Forum Leaders agenda in 2007. PIFS and member countries to follow through on this action.

VIII PIFS in collaboration with IPU, IDEA and CPA to assemble toolkit materials on women’s representation and participation which could include:

summary of electoral systems impact on women’s participation
best practice in pre-election training of candidates
support network for elected women MPs
how to use the media as well as support the media in promoting women in politics/decision-making.

IX Countries to consider the role of youth parliaments and other measures in fostering young women leaders and their understanding of the constitutional process in country.

NATIONAL ACTIONS

Governments, legislatures and other state entities are urged to consider:

VII The introduction of reserved seats to fast-track women’s representation in Parliament, especially in countries with weak political party systems or without political parties.

VIII The adoption of voluntary party quotas or quotas established by legislation particularly in countries with strong political party systems.

IX. Electoral reform away from single member constituencies towards multi-member constituencies with the intention of encouraging larger numbers of successful women candidates.

X. Enacting legal quotas, where there are existing constitutional provisions for special measures for women.

XI Actions taken at the national level should be matched with special measures for enhancing women’s representation at the local level whether through both formal or informal institutions.

XII Support for efforts to create an enabling environment that supplements institutional reforms to promote increased participation of women in politics. This would include engagement of civil society organisations, politicians, private sector and the community at large.

XII Increased resourcing through gender budgeting for the implementation of measures to advance women’s political representation as mandated by CEDAW, the BPA, the PPA and national commitments.

XIV The adoption, review and/or implementation of campaign financing provisions or legislation in support of women’s political representation.

XV Review of legislative and or policy environment for freedom of expression and information to assist political campaigns and voter education, advocacy on national issues, and partnerships towards a stronger voice and representation for Pacific women in the political life and governance of their nations.

XVI Strengthening relevant data collection agencies to collect, analyse and publish sex disaggregated data to inform monitoring of women’s participation in political life.

XVII Providing capacity building to parliamentarians and parliaments to provide enabling environment to address gender equality and equity issues.

XVIII Promote the adoption of structural changes within parliament to advance gender equality and equity such as specialised committees or parliamentary caucuses.

feedback cover letter | draft outcomes

2006-05-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

Vaine Iriano Wichman
Member of Parliament/Ruaau Constituency
VAKA PUAIKURA
Phone: 21756 or Moblie – 55756
Email: arama@oyster.net.ck
Fax: 24986
28 April 2006

Hon. Ngamau Munokoa
Minister of Internal Affairs (including women)
Avarua

Kia orana Ngamau

My report on my attendance at the Pacific Regional Workshop on Advancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19-21 April, 2006

Attached please find my report to you and your cabinet colleagues on my attendance at last week’s regional meeting.

First, please accept my sincere appreciation for allowing me to join you to represent women parliamentarians in the Cook Islands to this important workshop.

Second, please accept my observations and suggestions for follow on activities from this workshop to add on to work already in train by government and other active political/lobby groups.

I am circulating copies of my report to members of my caucus to inform them as well as to seek their support in due course, as in-country activities and events that may follow on from this regional event take shape.

On a personal note, it has been a pleasure working with you to host the women parliamentarians and delegations from the Pacific.

Na te Atua koe e tiaki, e maine.

Yours sincerely

Vaine Wichman

Copy Sir Geoffrey Henry, Leader of Opposition
Hon. Tom Marsters, Tupou Faireka, Hon. Teina Bishop, Hon. Wilkie Rasmussen, Henry Puna, Teariki Heather, Albert Nicholas, Peri Vaevaepare, Tiki Matapo, Mii Parima, Upoko Simpson, Piho Rua.

feedback | draft outcomes

2006-05-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Vaine Iriano Wichman
Member of Parliament/Ruaau Constituency
VAKA PUAIKURA
Phone: 21756 or Moblie – 55756
Email: arama@oyster.net.ck
Fax: 24986

REPORT ON MY ATTENDANCE AT THE PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENTS

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
19-21 APRIL 2006

Aims of Workshop

To consider draft regional research work conducted to date

To discuss key issues and outcomes emanating from the research work and Pacific women parliamentarian experience shared during the workshop.

To prepare a set of outcomes for regional and national consideration (and eventual implementation of course) to support the international, regional, and national legal commitments to advance women’s participation in Parliaments.

Background legal framework for this regional workshop

The Pacific Plan (PP) (endorsed at Forum 2005), the Pacific Community Pacific Plan for Action (PPA), and CEDAW (our adoption of our country report in March this year), bind us to regional and national efforts to enhance women’s participation in the life of governing our country.

There is also an (outdated) Cook Islands National Women’s Policy (1995), and the action plan of the Cook Islands National Council of Women that actively promotes increasing women’s participation in Parliament.

Status of this work in the country

In the late 1990’s with support from UNIFEM, the National Council of Women in partner with the Women’s Division of Internal Affairs at the time, hosted women in politics workshops on the main island to progress commitments made above. Since then there has been no further in-country work, other than political parties and lobby groups, and the National Council of Women from time to time bringing the question of women’s participation in Parliament in public and media arenas.

Workshop Proper
(my views on work, content, and outcomes)

Research presentations

Interesting and very relevant. The countries researched included PNG, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji. Findings similar to the Cook Islands included:

Women participation in Parliament is hampered by women’s perceptions themselves of their normal role in society, culture, religion in some cases, and the importance of other not seen but just as important roles and tasks of women in society;

Electoral systems are biased towards men rather than women being able to contest seats in Parliament.

Although the research findings were interesting, the suggestions and recommendations offered by the researchers was based on experiences in democratic systems either outside the Pacific region (Rwanda, France, etc), or in the case of French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Bougainville (in the region), under systems less autonomous than our own. In this respect I saw the workshop outcome’s shortcomings in terms of trying to apply these recommendations to fairly robust, and autonomous democratic systems (like ours).

For the more autonomous nations in the Pacific the adoption of special measures that promote women’s participation in Parliament, and the revision of electoral systems to facilitate these measures needs to be developed from within these countries. I had a look at the recommendations of the Tonga research and find these run similar to and would be of benefit to our country as they tie in with the best practise of moving the whole population to understanding the importance of good representation.

(I will be sharing the Tongan recommendations with the Cook Islands National Council of Women and the Gender Division of Internal Affairs, to see if we can develop some ways of supporting our commitment to Article 7 of our Cook Islands First CEDAW report on promoting women in political and public life through training, awareness raising etc).

Workshops on Media, and Sharing Women Parliamentarian Experience

These sessions helped us feel the constraints as listed in the research outcomes. I participated in the media workshop and along with Tere Carr presented the experiences I had by using and working with media (print, radio, tv, and myself form) to win the last election. Members of parliament from other island countries also reiterated and shared lessons they had learnt.

The two outcomes that were adopted as a result of the media sessions were:

Regional agencies and stakeholders including SPC, PIFS, USP and UNIFEM/UNDP and PINA are encouraged to support Pacific media and women in politics initiatives aimed at increasing quality coverage of the current status of women in Pacific politics, and challenging negative stereotypes about women as political leaders. (Regional outcome number V)

Review of legislative and or policy environment for freedom of expression and information to assist political campaigns and voter education, advocacy on national issues, and partnerships towards a stronger voice and representation for Pacific women in the political life and governance of their nations (National outcome number XV)

Regional Outcome Document

Volunteering to be a member of the drafting committee for the document, I wasn’t surprised that the regional research and technical agencies, (as well as donor partners), were active in including as many recommendations from the research and technical papers into the outcomes documents.

At the end of the day, it is fair that our country only considers and finds ways to action those outcomes that will assist our national commitments to advance women’s participation in parliament. I draw your attention to the following outcomes that I have extracted from the regional document.

(Regional outcomes Extracted)

III PIFS to facilitate in collaboration with regional partners and donors, the continuity of support, including funding and legal advice, to Member Countries and National Women’s Machineries to enable special measures to be pursued.

IV PIFS with national and regional partners to initiate and/or support for further research on:

barriers and opportunities for women’s representation and participation in decision-making

local government and traditional leadership including the roles of women;

voting patterns; and family voting

linkages between women, politics and media

Research endorsed by PIFS should be tabled with national parliaments.

VII The importance of gender related issues such as increasing the proportion of women in decision-making positions, especially parliament, be included on the Forum Leaders agenda in 2007. PIFS and member countries to follow through on this action.

IX Countries to consider the role of youth parliaments and other measures in fostering young women leaders and their understanding of the constitutional process in country.

(Close extracted)

I would be happy to:

In support of outcomes VII and IX, lend my expertise and support to seeking funding to conduct research similar to the Tongan experience in the Cook Islands to assist us and to assist our Prime Minister in his presentation in 2007 to the next Forum meeting on areas of concern and ways forward our nation will take in promoting women’s representation in parliament.

To share with you, the CINCW, and GADivision, a project proposal for convening a youth parliament here in the country.

(National outcomes extracted)

VIII The adoption of voluntary party quotas or quotas established by legislation particularly in countries with strong political party systems.

This will be an outcome I will take up with my own political party executive and caucus members to proactively support women to put their names up for selection as a candidate and to take it from there.

XV Review of legislative and or policy environment for freedom of expression and information to assist political campaigns and voter education, advocacy on national issues, and partnerships towards a stronger voice and representation for Pacific women in the political life and governance of their nations.

I would be happy to work with CINCW to attract funding to support training among women’s groups in this area.
XVII Providing capacity building to parliamentarians and parliaments to provide enabling environment to address gender equality issues.

Implementing this outcome could be tied in with the above suggestion to seek funding to support training not only of women’s groups in political life and governance, but also include parliamentarians in the training to raise awareness of providing an enabling environment to address gender equality issues.

XVIII Promote the adoption of structural changes within parliament to advance gender equality such as specialised committees or parliamentary caucuses.

I believe this outcome is a challenge for you and me to work with our fellow parliamentarians to develop specialised committees and caucuses of both sides of the house. Pending funding support for research work in country, this aspect could be added on as a terms of reference of the research.

Conclusions

The Tongan Member of Parliament – Lepolo Taunisila, echoed our concerns when she asked ‘what have women parliamentarians been doing in the past to try to encourage our women to enter politics and join parliament?

Those words have encouraged all of us who attended the meeting to at least do something within the areas that we work in, however small or big it may be.

At the end of the day, we all believe in fair representation of our people. Our commitment to Article 7 of our CEDAW report requires us to do something to encourage women to join us in Parliament. As the meeting noted, the obstacle is not the men, it is the women.

If I may share a question posed by a young woman student from Nukutere, ‘What changes have you made in Parliament?’ My response was not what she expected. My response was ‘I don’t think I’m in Parliament to make a change, I’m in Parliament to make a difference’.

Kia orana.

photos | draft outcomes women in politics

2006-04-23T01:37:00.000-07:00

day three | pacific women in politics

2006-04-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

Facilitators for Workshop Day 3: Samantha Hung, Gender Issues Adviser, PIFS
Linda Petersen, Women’s Development Adviser, SPC

8:30am Housekeeping
Prayer

8:45am Summary and Recap of Workshop Day 2

9:00am Presentation of draft outcomes statement
Drafting Committee

9:30am Negotiation of outcomes statement

10:00am Morning Tea

10:30am Group discussion: Where to from here?
Strategies to effectively implement outcomes recommendations
& participant follow-up at national level

11:15am Group report back

11:45am Adoption of DRAFT Workshop Outcomes Statement (to be presented to Forum Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference (FPOCC))

12:00pm OFFICIAL CLOSING
Remarks from Cook Islands Government Representative

wip 2006 | day two

2006-04-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS

aotearoa | networking women in politics
fiji | gender barriers
behind the scenes | women in politics
bougainville | the role of men
tonga | role of the youth parliament

en français!
foto | les trois collectivities francaises du pacifique
wallis et futuna | la loi sur la parite
francaises du pacifique | la loi sur la parite
nouvelle caledonia | la loi sur la parite
france | la loi sur la parite

observer contribution
piaf calls for more women to fight hiv.aids

draft | outcomes wip 2006

2006-04-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

DRAFT ONLY

PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS

OUTCOMES DOCUMENT

PREAMBLE

Noting that the representation of women in politics is critical to achieving democracy, the well being of communities and improving the status of women, parliamentarians, ministers, national directors and civil society organisation delegates from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, at the Pacific Regional Workshop on Advancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments held in Rarotonga, 19-21 April 2006, endorsed the following outcomes.

Despite international commitments to gender equality; notably CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals and UNSCR1325, women’s participation in decision making and women’s representation in Pacific parliaments is amongst the lowest in the world. We note with concern that most Governments have yet to realise these commitments and allocate necessary financial and technical resources. We also note with concern the decline in direct donor support to advancing women in politics.

Recalling the Auckland 2004 Forum Leaders call to address the low levels of women in decision-making within the framework of the Pacific Plan and consistent with the Pacific Platform for Action and its emerging critical areas of concern.

Considering the findings and recommendations from PIFS and UNIFEM commissioned research on barriers to women’s political representation; taking into account the importance of engaging men, women and youth in communities, and the media, to advance women’s representation in parliament.

Emphasising the need to strengthen partnerships between National Women’s Machineries, Ministers, Members of Parliament, civil society, regional and international organisations and the donor community, to build political will to address the issue of women’s political representation.

The meeting endorsed the need to urgently address barriers to women’s representation and participation in Pacific parliaments through:

REGIONAL ACTIONS

PIFS to establish a monitoring centre for the Advancement of Women in Politics and decision-making in Forum Island Countries. The monitoring centre would:

Coordinate, collect, analyse and disseminate data on the political, socio-economic and legal status of women in FICs in partnership with international and regional intergovernmental, national institutions and non-governmental institutions and partners such as UNIFEM, SPC Pacific Women’s Bureau, UNDP including the Regional Rights Resource Team and the University of the South Pacific.

Maintain a database on the status of women in the region which is accessible to the public, and exchange data on a regular basis with countries, regional and international partners.

Establish and maintain an electronic network throughout the region.

Provide policy advice to the respective divisions of the Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Plan Office on achieving political and economic equality of women and men, drawing on relevant research, networks and national input.

Providing policy advice and working closely with the Forum Member Countries on implementing special measures to increase women’s representation in parliaments.

PIFS to initiate and coordinate sub-regional workshops on special measures and electoral reform to promote the political representation of women with international and regional partners and selected FICs.

The workshops should:

bring together countries which have commonalities

include key decision-makers and stakeholders

be organised with national, regional and international partners with specialisation in these areas

use indigenous researchers; and

where feasible be extended to include Pacific Forum Observers.

III PIFS to facilitate in collaboration with regional partners and donors, the continuity of support, including funding and legal advice, to Member Countries and National Women’s Machineries to enable special measures to be pursued.

IV PIFS with national and regional partners to initiate and/or support for further research on:

barriers and opportunities for women’s representation and participation in decision-making

local government and traditional leadership including the roles of women;

voting patterns; and family voting

linkages between women, politics and media

Research endorsed by PIFS should be tabled with national parliaments.

V Regional agencies and stakeholders including SPC, PIFS, USP and UNIFEM/UNDP and PINA are encouraged to support Pacific media and women in politics initiatives aimed at increasing quality coverage of the current status of women in Pacific politics, and challenging negative stereotypes about women as political leaders.

VII The importance of gender related issues such as increasing the proportion of women in decision-making positions, especially parliament, be included on the Forum Leaders agenda in 2007. PIFS and member countries to follow through on this action.

VIII PIFS in collaboration with IPU, IDEA and CPA to assemble toolkit materials on women’s representation and participation which could include:

a summary of electoral systems impact on women’s participation
b) best practice in pre-election training; and
c) support network for elected women MPs
d) how to use the media

IX Countries to consider the role of youth parliaments and other measures in fostering young women leaders and their understanding of the constitutional process in country.

NATIONAL ACTIONS

Governments, legislatures and other state entities are urged to consider:

VII The introduction of reserved seats to fast-track women’s representation, especially in countries with weak or absent political party systems.

VIII The adoption of voluntary party quotas or quotas established by legislation particularly in countries with strong political party systems.

Countries with existing constitutional special measures should consider legal quotas and electoral reform where appropriate.

IX Actions taken at the national level should be matched with special measures for enhancing women’s representation at the local level whether through formal or informal institutions.

Support for efforts to create an enabling environment that supplements institutional reforms to promote increased participation of women in politics. This would include engagement of civil society, politicians, private sector and the community at large.

X Increased resourcing for the implementation of measures to advance women’s political representation as mandated by CEDAW, the BPA, the PPA and national commitments.

XI The review and/or implementation of campaign financing provisions or legislation in support of women’s political representation.

XII review of legislative and or policy environment for freedom of expression and information to assist political campaigns and voter education, advocacy on national issues, and partnerships towards a stronger voice and representation for Pacific women in the political life and governance of their nations.

Strengthening relevant data collection agencies to collect, analyse and publish sex disaggregated data to inform monitoring of women’s participation in political life.

Providing capacity building to parliamentarians and parliaments to provide enabling environment to address gender equality issues.

Promote the adoption of structural changes within parliament to advance gender equality such as specialised committees or parliamentary caucuses.

DRAFT ONLY

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
UNIFEM
UNDP

media | changing attitudes

2006-04-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

Changing attitudes and numbers: Women in politics and the media

A presentation for the Pacific Regional Workshop on Advancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments

-- by Lisa Williams-Lahari, SPC Women’s Communications Officer

The media informs and shapes voter opinions on women AND politics, and women IN politics.

The lack of media attention debating women’s contributions and potential, leads to a lack of ‘constituency’ for women in leadership

International trends:

> Strategic responses to women and media issues via BPA
> Strategic responses to women in politics and media issues via IPU
> Research on mainstream coverage

Regional trends:

> Media and ICTs now join leadership on PPA critical concerns list
> Media focus: campaigns vs. news
> Lack of research, but Pacific GMMP results reflect global trend

Bridge-building women in politics and media, Cook Islands style:

i.) Media, women and politics: a politicians view
ii.) Women, politics and media: a media view
iii.) Media, campaign advocacy and the voter mindset

aotearoa | networking women in politics

2006-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Power point presentation to the Pacific Regional Workshop onAdvancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments
Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Customs, Minister of Youth Affairs

Rarotonga, Cook Islands
19 – 21 April, 2006

Purpose

Network

Share Experience

Develop Understanding

Contribute to Broader Goal

Increased Women’s participation

Context – NZ Perspective

From FPP to MMP

NZ a more diverse population

Gender

Culture

Communities

Public discourse - referendum

1996 first MMP election

Context – NZ Perspective

International Obligations

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Fourth World Conference on Women 1995)

CEDAW

New Zealand Response

Agenda for Women

Action Plan for NZ Women

Launched March 2004

Improving the circumstances for women

Objectives: Economic Sustainability, Work Life Balance, Well-Being

Measurable outcomes

Implementation responsibility of CE’s for key Govt agencies

Women’s Affairs to monitor progress

Agenda for Women
Aotearoa/NZ will be an equitable,
inclusive and sustainable society
where all women can achieve
their aspirations and in addition,
Maori women as tangata whenua,
can progress the aspirations
of their whanau, hapu and iwi.
Achievement of the Vision

Equitable access to resources and opportunities

Opportunity to choose and pursue a life path

Full and active participation in society

Adequate resources and support

Freedom from discrimination

Valuing women’s contribution to society

Making the Transition

Young Parliamentarian

Particular experience

Constituent MP

4 General elections since 1996

What have I learnt?

What can I share?

Hard Yards

If you think you can, you can!

Relationships Matter

Stay connected

Be relevant

Respond with intent

Create allies

Hard Yards

Don’t be afraid of conflict

Front the hard issues

Bridge the gap

Be the solution

Call Women to Action

Cause/Issue

Outcome Clear

Hard Yards

Remember Politics IS Local

Sometimes the end justifies the means

First Time Voters

A lasting experience

A reason to vote

Hard Yards

Planning for Action

Start how you mean to go on

Know your constituents

Be Present, Be There

Succession planning

Electoral readiness

Analyse

Assess

Action

Hard Yards

Respect for others

Relationships Matter

Stay connected

Be relevant

Respond with intent

Create allies

Finding A Balance

The Whole Picture

The Pacific Way

photos | day three wip 2006

2006-04-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

fiji | gender barriers

2006-04-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

PACIFIC REPRESENTATION REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S IN PARLIAMENTS -

FIJI’S PERSPECTIVE

Introduction

Issues of concern and interests relevant to stated subject

Gender barriers to women’s political participation

National experiences

Conclusions

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Introduction

Fiji has enjoyed women’s participation in Parliament since Independence. It has undergone many changes in its Constitution; however, women’s representation in Parliament has not been given the consideration it deserves due to several factors.
The Ministry of Women, Social Welfare & Poverty Alleviation has a policy framework called the ‘Women’s Plan of Action’ (1999 – 2008) that gives direction to the adoption of strategic objectives on gender equality and women’s empowerment in Fiji. There are five specific areas in this Plan of Action, which includes;
- Mainstreaming gender issues and concerns
- Advancing and supporting women in decision-making
- Promoting women and the law
- Supporting women in micro enterprise development
- Supporting strategic actions to address and eliminate violence against women and children

2.0 Relevant issues and interests

Women’s participation in decision-making covers a very broad area of focus. In the three main arms of our machinery of Government, i.e. the Parliament, the Judiciary and the Executive there is a critical need for women to be appointed into the various echelons of decision-making. There are other sectors such as women in the private sector and those in the informal sector whose needs need to be addressed in pursuit of this strategic objective. This is indeed a challenge. It is considered crucial that all key players/ stakeholders must work in harmony in mobilizing resources to achieve tangible results for women in decision-making.
In Parliament there are 71 elected members in the lower House (House of Representatives) and 32 nominated members in the Upper House (Senate). Of the 71 members in the House of Representatives there are 6 women (7%) members and 5 (16%) in the Senate.
To secure women’s representation in Parliament there are several options that can be looked at and this includes:
- Political parties contesting the General Elections reserve special number of seats for women candidates and commit Cabinet portfolios to these women when elected
- introduce a ‘quota system’ to set aside a (%) of seats in Parliament for women representatives
- Amend and include in the Electoral Act the reservation of seats to be contested by women only.
- Set aside a (%) of the seats in the Senate for women’s nominee only
- Women in the three ethnic groups organize themselves to contest seats in their Constituencies through forming a Political Party

The experiences we have undergone in the development of our democratically elected Parliament shows that the cultural norms, religious and traditional barriers faced by women in other parts of our global communities is still a reality in Fiji i.e. the existence of a stereotyped male dominated political party system that regards women as ‘Party’ workers but not as an important and integral ‘Partner’ for their co-existence.

Gender barriers to women’s representation in Parliament

The gender barriers to women’s representation in Parliament are many. These vary according to their impacts in influencing women to decide to participate in the total process of entering Parliament as well as delivering the services expected of her whilst in Parliament..
The Electoral System with its communal boundaries has an inherent gender problem due to the existence of strong traditional, cultural and religious barriers.
Women, however, are beginning to realize their role in decision making at the village level. There is an increasing growth of micro enterprises in villages managed by individual women and cooperative groups. Such forms of economic empowerment have resulted to increasing confidence amongst village women, thus, enabling them to experience the changing roles demanded of them in managing their community whilst at the same time exposing them to leadership roles. There is a high degree of mobility of women living and moving residences between towns and villages both for economic and educational reasons. As they become increasingly aware of their changing roles, their ‘partners’ are also changing and are more supportive to those who may show an interest or approached to take up positions in ‘political parties’ etc.,
The lack of information amongst women living in the rural areas on our Electoral system and their role in electing their choice of candidates has improved considerably through the organized programs initiated by women’s groups assisted by government and non government agencies. Women of common birth are being given equal opportunities as those of high birth to being heard when placed and accepted by their communities in leadership roles.
To progress these women into taking up positions in Parliament we recognize the need for total support from their partners, funding assistance to women candidates and women’s ability to strategically adapt and accept the responsibilities that come with the position.
The supportive role of the media and the use of information technology have not been accessed fully by women when organizing themselves for such challenges. We are aware that attitudinal changes towards women’s full participation in Parliaments can be greatly enhanced by a Media that is supportive and positive into publishing good and constructive stories of women’s achievements.
The recognition and inclusion of women in leading a Political Party is still a ‘dream’. Women however are accepted as key partners in planning, implementing and evaluating strategic objectives of ‘Party’s’ ideologies.
There has not been a direct or a firm commitment by any ‘Political Party’ on women’s representation in Parliament since this has always been a male dominated area. The dissemination of relevant information on the Electoral processes has been given prominence by women’s non government organizations in the National Capital, other urban and peri- urban centers. Women in villages and settlements have been supported by other women’s organizations such as the ‘Soqosoqo Vakamarama, Church organizations and other Institutions that are focused in supporting rural development initiatives.

National Experiences

The reason for the low numbers of women in politics is their lack of resources endowments for public life. These include income, relationships networks in the community, and flexibility in committing ‘family time’ to serving the public. In some instances it is difficult to relate to the fact that women with high educational achievements and sound economic standing do not show an interest nor wish to participate in the political ‘life’ of our country. Whilst discussing this concern with some of my colleagues who are in the younger generation, I found the following reasons as quite challenging i.e. Women will only seriously consider contesting for the General Elections on the following premises - that the remuneration packages in Parliament are attractive enough to sustain their livelihood; they are fully supported by their partners and they have a passion on issues they will champion in Parliament.
In the Executive arm of Government women have increased in taking up appointments in the various occupational groups. However, there is limited number of leadership positions given to these women. Similarly in Parliament only three elected members are assigned Cabinet Portfolios without due consideration given to sharing more Cabinet Portfolios to other elected and nominated women members. Consequently, this means that women members constitute a minority in the decision making process on issues discussed and passed in Parliament.
The sectors given to women Cabinet Ministers are gender biased since they reflect areas considered appropriate for women such as Education, Women and Social Welfare and Information. Ministerial Portfolios that have an impact on economic, political and national security of the nation have always remained a male domain.
It is important to note that women rarely become Prime Ministers or Heads of States. Women however can be found as Deputy Heads. There are other positions such as the Speaker of the Lower House and President of the Senate that could be given to women.
In endorsing MDG 3 the Fiji Government had endorsed a key indicator that Government will ensure that there will be a greater proportion of seats to be held by women in the National Parliament.
The notion that women of high birth have a better chance to address people on issues of public concern and thus have a better chance of entering Parliament is in my opinion no longer relevant in Fiji. The rapid changes brought about by socio economic developments in our rural areas and the rate of educational achievements amongst women of common birth have altered this scenario.

Conclusions

The challenges faced in Fiji in advancing women’s representation in Parliament maybe addressed through an amendment to the Electoral Act to introduce reserved seats in Parliament to be contested only by women. This is possible through Constitutional reforms. As more women enter Parliament there is also a critical need to have a legislative framework to ensure that integrity of Members of Parliament are maintained through the an agreed ‘Code of Conduct’.

foto | les trois collectivities francaises du pacifique

2006-04-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

wallis et futuna | la loi sur la parite

2006-04-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA LOI SUR LA PARITE A WALLIS ET FUTUNA

Il n’y a pas d’organisation communale à Wallis et Futuna
Il n’y a pas de gouvernement autonome à Wallis et Futuna

Les compétences locales sont exercées par l’ASSEMBLEE TERRITORIALE de Wallis et Futuna

1992 : Première élection féminine à l’Assemblée : 2 femmes / 20 (une de Wallis et une de Futuna)

1997 : 2 femmes / 20

2002 : application de la loi sur la parité : scrutin de liste avec alternance stricte obligatoire
           32 listes de candidatures déposées dont 2 listes menées par des femmes
           1 seul siège / 20 est revenu à une femme
                    mais depuis 2002, et après démission de 2 conseillers, 2 autres femmes ont accédé aux fonctions de conseillères à l’Assemblée portant le nombre de femmes à 3 / 20.

Mme Malia Fulutui, 55 ans – institutrice
Mme Salome Seo, 29 ans – sans profession
Mme Malia Seleone, 53 ans – agent de l’administration.

francaises du pacifique | la loi sur la parite

2006-04-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

SEMINAIRE REGIONAL SUR LA PROGRESSION DE LA REPRESENTATION DES FEMMES DANS LES ASSEMBLEES PARLEMENTAIRES DU PACIFIQUE
Rarotonga – Iles Cook du 19 => 21 avril 2006

LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA LOI SUR LA PARITE
DANS LES TROIS COLLECTIVITES FRANCAISES DU PACIFIQUE
--------------------
Par Mme Béatrice VERNAUDON, Députée de la Polynésie Française

1 - Présentation des 3 collectivités françaises du Pacifique

La République française compte 60 200 000 habitants dont 4 % (2 300 000 habitants) vivent "Outre-mer" répartis sur 3 océans :

Dans l’Atlantique : la Guadeloupe – la Martinique – la Guyane et St Pierre et Miquelon;

Dans l’Océan indien : La Réunion, Mayotte;

Dans l’Océan Pacifique : la Nouvelle – Calédonie (230 800 habitants) – la Polynésie Française (249 200 habitants) – Wallis et Futuna (15 000 habitants).

Ces 9 collectivités sont classées dans la Constitution française selon 2 catégories :

Article 73 : Départements d’Outre-mer régis sur le principe d’identité législative : toutes les lois votées au Parlement s’y appliquent.

Article 74 : Collectivités à statuts particuliers régis sur le principe de la spécialité législative : les lois votées au Parlement français ne s’y appliquent que si la loi elle-même le précise.

Les 3 collectivités françaises du Pacifique appartiennent à l’article 74.

Une loi organique définit le statut particulier de chaque collectivité soumise à ce régime. Elle détermine également les lois qui s’y appliquent.

Les assemblées locales peuvent élaborer des règlements relevant du domaine de la loi, à l’exclusion des matières régaliennes (droit des personnes, sécurité, justice, monnaie…)

Aucun changement de régime ne peut avoir lieu sans le consentement des électeurs de la collectivité concernée.

2 – La loi française sur la Parité

Historique :

La France est le premier pays au monde à avoir inscrit dans sa constitution l’égalité d'accès des femmes et des hommes aux mandats électoraux.

En 1982, une loi modifiant le mode de scrutin municipal fut votée en stipulant que : "les listes de candidats ne peuvent compter plus de 75 % de personnes du même sexe". Cette loi fut aussitôt jugée anticonstitutionnelle, étant contraire à la Constitution et à la Déclaration des droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen "s’opposant à toute division par catégories des électeurs et des éligibles".

En 1995, dans le prolongement de la quatrième conférence mondiale de Pékin et parce que la France ne comptait que 11 % de femmes au Parlement - avant dernier des 15 pays européens avant la Grèce -  la parité est devenue un thème de campagne à l’occasion des élections présidentielles.

Dans son discours de politique générale en juin 1997, le premier ministre, Lionel JOSPIN s’engage à légiférer pour la parité en politique.

La loi relative à l’égal accès des femmes et des hommes aux mandats électoraux et fonctions électives a fait préalablement l’objet d’une modification de la Constitution (titre I – art. 3  et 4) le 08 juillet 1999 selon les dispositions suivantes :

"La loi favorise l’égal accès des femmes et des hommes aux mandats électoraux et aux fonctions électives » et « les partis et groupements politiques contribuent à la mise en œuvre de ce principe dans les conditions déterminées par la loi".

L’introduction du mot "femme" dans la Constitution française renverse le modèle juridique qui assimilait la neutralité au masculin. Cela représente pour les femmes un droit accru à la citoyenneté au-delà de l’égalité devant l’éligibilité.

Ce fut un choix ambitieux d’étendre cette loi à l’ensemble du Territoire de la République, un changement  institutionnel radical et novateur de l’esprit républicain.

Il marquait une volonté de rénovation de la vie politique et constituait un puissant levier vers l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans toutes les sphères de la société.

Mécanismes :

La loi sur la parité adoptée le 06 juin 2000 introduit le principe de la parité des candidats dans tous les scrutins mais selon des mécanismes différents :

élections communales (+ 3 500 habitants) et régionales : parité par tranche de 6 candidats quelque soit le positionnement dans la tranche ;

élections européennes, assemblées de Pays (NC/PF/W&F) et sénatoriales (départements d’au moins 4 sénateurs) : parité obligatoire par alternance stricte : un homme – une femme – un homme – une femme…;

élections législatives : les partis sont pénalisés financièrement s’ils ne présentent pas autant de candidates que de candidats (pénalité proportionnelle au différentiel de candidats).

3 - Bilan contrasté de la loi en France (Tableau n° 1)

Depuis 2000, toutes les instances représentatives, locales et nationales, ont été renouvelées sous le régime de cette loi.

Constat :

La Parité hommes/femmes a eu des effets déterminants dans les élections à scrutins de liste (alternance stricte ou par tranche de 6) : élections régionales, élections européennes, élections sénatoriales (au moins 4 sénateurs) et élections municipales (+3500 habitants).

La Parité a eu un effet d’entraînement dans les communes de moins de 3500 habitants.

La Parité reste faible dans les autres élections : législatives, cantonales, sénatoriales (moins de 4 sénateurs). Le scrutin uninominal privilégie la réélection des sortants.

Les incitations financières qui prévoient des pénalités contre les partis qui ne présentent pas le même nombre de candidats de chaque sexe n’ont pas démontré leur efficacité.

La proportion de femmes est toujours plus importante parmi les candidats que parmi les élus : législatives de 1997 (22% des candidats étaient des femmes pour 11% des élus), législatives de 2002 (38% des candidats étaient des femmes pour 12,5% des élus).

Si la loi sur la Parité a permis aux femmes d’accéder en plus grand nombre dans les instances de représentation politique, il reste que l’analyse des situations montre que les femmes sont encore très largement exclues des postes à haute responsabilité

- 1 seule femme présidente de Conseil de région sur 26;

- 2 femmes présidentes de Conseil général sur 101;

- 6,5% de femmes maires de communes de + 3500 habitants.

Perspectives d’évolution :

Le 03 janvier 2006, le Président de la République, M. Jacques Chirac, déclarait :

"La représentation nationale doit être à l’image de la diversité de la France, elle doit compter plus de femmes, plus de jeunes, plus de personnes issues de l’immigration. C’est une exigence démocratique et civique qui ne peut plus attendre".

A cet effet, il a proposé :

- Que la parité soit instaurée dans les exécutifs des régions et des communes de plus de 3 500 habitants ainsi que dans la désignation des délégués aux structures intercommunales;

- Que soient considérablement renforcées les sanctions financières contre les partis qui ne respecteraient pas les obligations de parité.

4 – La mise en œuvre de la loi sur la parité dans les collectivités françaises du Pacifique : un progrès démocratique inachevé (Tableaux n° 2 – 3 et 4)

Wallis et Futuna

L’application de la loi sur la parité à l’occasion du renouvellement de l’Assemblée territoriale en 2002 a constitué une "exception française" puisque le nombre de femmes élues a régressé de 2/20 à 1/20 malgré l’alternance stricte obligatoire !

C’est que l’organisation communautaire conduit à multiplier les listes de candidats afin que les différents groupes familiaux concentrent leurs voix sur une personne de leur groupe et lui assurent son élection.

Toutefois, l’introduction de la notion de parité dans les déclarations de candidatures permet une participation de plus en plus marquée des femmes à l’élection des membres de l’assemblée territoriale et oblige désormais les hommes à compter avec les femmes pour la composition des listes.

Nouvelle – Calédonie

Comme en Polynésie, l’application de la loi sur la parité a révolutionné le paysage politique en portant le nombre de femmes aux Assemblées de province de 18 à 50 % et au Congrès de 17 à 46 %.

Dans les communes de + de 3 500 habitants, le pourcentage de femmes élues est passé de 8 à 47 % et pour la première fois une femme a été élue maire.

Mais dans les communes où la loi ne s’applique pas le chemin à faire est encore long et laborieux pour le partage du pouvoir en espérant que les résultats dans les 11 communes soumises à la parité auront en 2008 davantage d’effet d’entraînement.

Fait tout aussi marquant, depuis mai 2004, deux femmes se retrouvent à la tête de l’exécutif pour la première fois dans l’histoire calédonienne.

De culture et de sensibilité politique différente mais pareillement attachées au développement et à la paix de leur pays, sauront-elles ensemble, conduire leur population à partager harmonieusement un destin commun ?
Ce défi mérite qu’elles soient soutenues par l’ensemble de la communauté océanienne.

Polynésie – Française

Les polynésiens ont vécu l’annonce de l’extension et des mécanismes de cette loi comme un choc d’autant qu’elle a été mise en œuvre en Polynésie Française moins d’un an après son adoption à l’occasion du renouvellement de l’assemblée de la  Polynésie Française en mai 2001.
Des listes paritaires : c’était un progrès nécessaire et c’est ce que prévoyait le projet de loi soumis à l’avis de l’assemblée polynésienne en 2000.

Mais l’alternance stricte plaçant les femmes en position d’éligibilité à égalité avec les hommes : quelle révolution et chez les hommes et chez les femmes !

L’insuffisance qualitative et quantitative du vivier féminin des partis politiques a été en 2001 un véritable casse-tête pour les partis politiques. Pour constituer les listes, les femmes ont été contactées et choisies sur des critères de compétences et de représentativité sociale afin de constituer une savante alchimie de représentation professionnelle, géographique, associative, religieuse, ethnique…

Les femmes n’avaient pour la plupart jamais songé à rentrer en politique mais elles se sont senties investies d’une mission qu’elles étaient déterminées à mener à bien dans l’intérêt général.

La loi a eu pour effet de passer le nombre de femmes à l’Assemblée de Polynésie Française de 4 / 41 (12 %) à 22 / 49 (45%) après l’élection et même à 26 / 49 (53%) après constitution du gouvernement faisant de l’Assemblée de Polynésie Française  la seule de la République « et du monde » à majorité féminine.

De plus, l’Assemblée de Polynésie Française devenait pour la première fois de son histoire présidée par une femme qui avait été précédemment ministre de l’emploi et de la condition féminine.

En 2002, pour la première fois également, les polynésiens élisaient un homme et une femme pour les représenter à l’Assemblée Nationale à Paris.

La loi ne s’est pas appliquée aux élections communales de 2001 alors que les femmes polynésiennes s’y étaient préparées. Il a été jugé par les partis comme « politiquement correct » de tendre à l’application de la loi.  Le nombre d’élues municipales est donc passé de 19 à 31 %, le nombre de femmes maires de 2 à 5 / 48 et le nombre de femmes maires délégués de 8 à 20 / 91.

ANALYSE

Si à Wallis et Futuna, la situation locale a démontré les limites du mode opératoire de la loi française sur la parité, en Nouvelle-Calédonie et en Polynésie Française, la féminisation rapide et massive du paysage institutionnel par la mise en œuvre de cette même loi est incontestablement un fait marquant de l’histoire de ces deux territoires, une étape majeure dans la marche vers l’égalité des droits des femmes et des hommes

La loi sur la parité est un outil essentiel d’émancipation politique des femmes océaniennes françaises en leur ouvrant l’accès aux lieux de pouvoir et de décision.

Mais elle révèle des paradoxes car la parité s’est imposée par la contrainte législative sans que les mentalités des hommes et des femmes soient préparées.

Les femmes sont entrées dans un monde organisé pour et par les hommes, où les comportements et les votes sont encore guidés par les logiques de partis.
Elles se sont senties malgré elles victimes des clivages politiques souvent contraires à l’intérêt général auquel elles aspiraient.

Non formées à la culture politique, non expérimentées en la matière, non aguerries au combat politique de base comme peuvent l’être les parlementaires qui ont brigué une élection à scrutin uninominal, elles n’ont pas pris , tant dans leur parti que dans le fonctionnement de l’Assemblée, la place que l’on pouvait espérer pour influencer et la façon de faire de la politique (en corrigeant les dérives de l’ambition, de l’esprit partisan ou de l’intolérance dont les hommes l’avaient marquée) et les priorités d’action (qui auraient la nécessité des réformes de lutte contre la pauvreté, l’exclusion sociale, la violence…).

Au niveau des communes de la Polynésie Française par contre, où la progression de la représentation des femmes est également sensible (de 19% à  31%) en 2001 malgré la non application de la loi sur la parité comme en Nouvelle-Calédonie, leur assurance et leur efficacité  ont été facilitées par l’existence d’une formation des élus et des personnels communaux organisés par le syndicat pour la promotion des communes.

Les élues municipales sont beaucoup plus consommatrices de formation que leurs collègues élus.
Elles sont aussi plus nombreuses que les hommes à s’impliquer comme formatrices d’élus.
La solidarité est forte et positive entre elles. Portées par des projets communs, elles transcendent aisément les clivages politiques. Elles sont  plus engagées dans la gestion de la réalité quotidienne, s’investissent en temps, mais pour des raisons culturelles, lors du passage à la communication et à la légitimité des actions, elles acceptent encore trop souvent que leurs collègues élus soient mis en avant.

Elles seront rapidement confrontées à la nécessité de briguer le pouvoir de maire pour faire évoluer l’efficacité de l’institution et répondre aux défis du développement durable et harmonieux dont elles ont appréhendé concepts et méthodologie.

CONCLUSION

La loi française sur la parité qui repose sur l’égalité en droit d’accès des hommes et des femmes en politique, est une référence universelle, mise en œuvre depuis 2001 jusqu’en Océanie.

Cependant, cette loi, comme celle des quotas, montre ses limites lorsqu’elle n’est pas accompagnée sur le long terme de mesures pour changer les mentalités des hommes et des femmes et pour donner les moyens aux femmes de faire de la politique autrement d’une part, de construire un développement centré sur la dignité de la personne humaine et de l’équité d’autre part.

Pour finir mon propos et en pensant aux femmes politiques de Nouvelle-Calédonie qui n’ont pu se joindre à nous comme elles m’auraient espéré, je voudrais reprendre les propos de la plus illustre d’entre elles, Mme Marie-Noelle THEMERAU, Présidente depuis 2004 du Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Le 08 mars, au siège du Secrétariat Général de la Communauté du Pacifique à Nouméa, elle disait :

« Comme les féministes au début du siècle dernier, je crois que les femmes doivent influencer la vie politique vers un apaisement.
La politique a été, est et restera un combat mais il est beaucoup de combats que l’on gagne par l’honnêteté, le respect de l’autre et l’authenticité.

L’engagement au sein d’un parti politique n’exclut pas l’autonomie. Rien n’oblige  à adopter un comportement agressif, méprisant.
Il faut se démarquer du « modèle » masculin, en finir avec la violence, le cynisme, l’intolérance à l’autre.

Les femmes échouent en politique si elles se comportent comme les hommes.
Il faut faire entendre notre voix vers la paix, la sérénité, le souci de l’autre, au service su peuple dans une démarche humble mais déterminée »

nouvelle caledonia | la loi sur la parite

2006-04-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA LOI SUR LA PARITE EN NOUVELLE – CALEDONIE

Gouvernement
(Collégial)

1999

Mai 2004
3 femmes / 11
27 %
dont la Présidente : Mme Marie-Noelle Thémerau
et la Vice-Présidente : Mme Déwé Gorodey

Congrès

1999
9 femmes / 54
17 %

Mai 2004
25 femmes / 54
46 %

Assemblées de Province
(Election du 09 mai 2004)
Scrutin de liste alternance stricte obligatoire

1999

Province des îles Loyauté : 0 /  14
Province du Nord :               3 /  22
Province du Sud :               11 / 40
                                           14 /  76 => 18 %

Mai 2004

Province des îles Loyauté :   7 /  14
Province du Nord :              11 /  22
Province du Sud :               20 /  40
                                           38 /  76  => 50 %

Communes
(Election 2001)
Communes de + de 3500 habitants :
parité obligatoire par tranche de 6

1995

Communes < 3 500 habitants : 43 / 333 => 12,9 %
Communes > 3 500 habitants : 30 / 370 =>   8,1 %

Mars 2001

Communes < 3 500 habitants : 60 / 410 =>   14,6 %
Communes > 3 500 habitants : 160 / 343 => 46,6%

france | la loi sur la parite

2006-04-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA LOI SUR LA PARITE EN FRANCE

GOUVERNEMENT
9 femmes / 41
(22 %)
ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE
Renouvellement tous les 5 ans (2002 – 2007) – scrutin uninominal – Abattement sur financement public si parité non respectée

Avant la loi : 10 % (63 / 577)                                     Polynésie Française : 2 députés  dont 1 femme                 Après la loi : 12,5 % (71 / 577)
                                                                                  Nouvelle-Calédonie : 2 députés
                                                                                  Wallis et Futuna        : 1 député
SENAT
Renouvellement par moitié tous le 6 ans – Départements > 3 sénateurs : Scrutin de liste alternance stricte obligatoire

Avant la loi : 10 % (34 / 321)                1 sénateur pour chacune des 3 collectivités françaises du Pacifique                     Après la loi : 17 % (56 / 331)
REGIONALES
Renouvellement tous les 6 ans (2004 – 2010) – Scrutin de liste : parité obligatoire par tranche de 6 candidats
1998 : 27,5 % de femmes dont 3 présidentes / 26                                                     2004 : 47,5 % de femmes dont 1 présidente de région / 26
MUNICIPALES
Renouvellement tous les 6 ans) – Communes + 3500 habitants : parité obligatoire par tranche de 6 candidats
1995 : 22 % d’élues municipaux et 7,5 % de femmes maires                                  2001 : 33 % d’élues municipaux et 11 % de femmes maires
NB : Dans les communes de + 3500 habitants, le pourcentage de femmes élues est passé de 25 % à  47,5 %

PARLEMENT EUROPEEN
Renouvellement tous les 5 ans (2004-2009) – Scrutin de liste : alternance stricte obligatoire
1999 : 40 % de femmes                               Aucun élu du Pacifique                                            2004 : 43,5 % de femmes

behind the scenes | women in politics

2006-04-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

bougainville | the role of men

2006-04-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

SPEECH BY DEPUTY SPEAKER, HON. FRANCESCA SEMOSO

“PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT”.

19th – 21st APRIL, 2006

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS

To you the organizers, and participants in particular women who are present at this workshop, I extend to you warm greetings from the women of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Thank you so much for inviting me to share with you my experiences and thoughts on how best we the women of the Pacific Region can break the vicious circle of the political inequity that has kept the political men’s club going for ages, but more particularly how we women can mobilize voters especially women voters “Advance Women’s Representation in Parliament” throughout the world especially here in the Pacific Region which I believe is also the theme for this workshop. I know we are all concerned about this issue hence I’m sure our collective thoughts and contribution in this two days workshop will go along way in shaping and changing the political inequity that has ruled us for ages.

To the women participants, you all look beautiful and willing to help, share and learn. Your very presence tells me that we are all here to support, participate and collectively contribute to how we can advance women’s participation in parliament.
Also as far as I’m concern to tell the men of the Pacific that we are a force to be reckoned with as far as politics is concerned.

Before I deliver my short speech I appeal to all of us to maximize the time for the next two days to get down to serious business and come up with constructive and workable recommendations and resolutions on the issue of advancing women’s participation in parliament in the Pacific Region.

My fellow Pacific Island women, Freud,(pronounced - Froid) the originator of psychoanalysis wrote in a letter to his associate Marie Bonaparte and said,

‘The great question that has never been answered and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is “What does a woman want?”’

Surely any woman could have told him if he asked her. We want to become what we potentially are, to develop our full human personalities. Freud(Froid) couldn’t see it because he could not see the world through a woman’s eyes. He was as much a prisoner of his own blindness as women of his time and ours are of their visibility.

My fellow Pacific Island women, let us learn from this honorable statement and move forward despite road blocks and myths up yonder. We should not be blinded by men’s conception that what they say is in the best interest of women. This is not true and not right. This is a mis-representation of our freedom of thought, freedom of association and freedom of speech. In total this is an abuse of women’ human rights under CEDAW, and UNSC Resolution 1325. Only women know what is good and what is right for them. Nothing more, nothing less.
Unfortunately the men of the Pacific have fallen into the same myth and mis-conception. Thus I surely hope that by contributing ideas and lessons learnt to this workshop will eliminate this misconception and help us find ways of improving and enhancing our participation in political life.

BACKGROUND

Ladies and Gentlemen, I just want to briefly highlight on the roles and responsibilities the women of Bougainville played in the traditional society as I believe this paved the way for Bougainville women leaders to participate in the modern political life when they were allocated three seats to contest in the Autonomous Bougainville Government election in April, 2005.

In the 12 districts of Bougainville, except Nissan Island and Buin district, women are the historians of genealogy, a role shared with her maternal brothers. Women also remembered genealogy related to clan ownership of lands. In the political life of the community, women played a backstage role, the men played the public role of orators and messengers. Women were the caretakers of land and had to be consulted in land transactions and disputes and all matters.

In land conflicts men did the talking, but women decided the process from behind the scene. Women looked after the wealth of the family. They were the clan bankers and they kept the shell money.

Women are naturally well placed in the Bougainville social system so that they are respected by men because we also have women chiefs in our matrilineal society. Women had a lot of influence on decisions made in the village by chiefs.
Women were respected more because they were mothers and the breeder of future generations. Women were married off to warring clans to achieve peace and harmony between disputing clans. Women had a hidden power over the community; this means that when there was a very big dispute or conflicts, agreements can be reached and reconciliation takes place in front of a naked woman. This was definitely the case in very traditional society. It meant that if the accord was breached, the two conflicting parties would face the death penalty. In this case the death penalty can come in the form of a magic spell, curse, or murder.

With the coming of Christianity and Colonization this practice among other valuable values, norms, customs and traditions were stopped as they were deemed evil and satanic.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I firmly believe that our matrilineal system has played a very important role in the creation of three women seats in the three regions of Bougainville; North, Central and South. But the women of Bougainville had to lobby hard for these three seats. Pressure from women and NGOs effectively triggered change. NGOs articulated the need to include women in politics always quoting that women have been in the forefront of peace making and therefore women had the most experience.
Also men in Bougainville supported the creation of three seats reserved for women. And men campaigned for women as well.

Originally we wanted 12 women seats based on 12 districts we have on Bougainville. Anyway even though it was disappointing, a record 22 women contested in the three reserved seats. No woman contested in the constituency seats because of pressure to give their brothers a chance.

LESSONS LEARNT

Now I will share with you lessons learnt from contesting as a woman candidate during the Autonomous Bougainville Government elections.
During the time of campaign to enter politics I have found that people including women expect the following:

Role Model – a female candidate has to be a very good role model;

Self-confidence – women candidate must learn not to give up but to be consistent in there campaign despite all odds like politics is not for women;

There is a need to work within communities and to strengthen and increase our campaigning impact. The impact has to be in the community because any community is a women’s community;

Strong emphasis has to be placed on educating women especially in leadership, campaign and voting systems to assist women to make informed choices. It is extremely important that women know their rights as well. Strong alliances are also needed at community, provincial and national level;

A strong supportive family including the clan networks is needed to support women candidates especially when women find it difficult to access funds for campaigns;

Overcoming the fragmentation of women’s movement addressing our need to strengthen our working alliances and to compliment each other;

Women should work together to address collective needs to build sustainable women’s networks;

Women should face up to the reality of our weaknesses and seek advice;

Be inclusive of new women (rather than sticking to the old guard) and organizing ourselves to work better together including the broader civil society;

A women’s gender is always questioned when there is failure;

The electoral system must be simple and clear for the majority of the women to understand and to participate meaningfully in it. For example the Electoral Commission to aggressively carry out community education awareness in villages;

Overwhelming frustration with the current electoral system as being unfriendly to women as voters particularly in rural areas where education levels are lower. For example common rolls update must be accurate. All possible voters names should be included.

Personal Experiences

During my campaign I found that my gender was always questioned:

My private life was scrutinized instead of focusing on my leadership and the issues I was standing for. I was termed a bad woman even by other women candidates for leaving two relationships. I was never asked why I had left those two relationships. If they had asked I would have told them that I could not stand living in those violent relationships;

Prior to campaigning whilst being one of the Constitution Commissioner I met a partner whom I’m living with now, almost resulted in me being sacked from the Commission. Nobody ever questions men when they form relationships;

Even when I was campaigning, the way I dressed put some people off. This affected my campaign as well so I had to change the way I dressed before I went to villages and communities;

When I won the election the above negativities or gossips did not stop men and women talking. Even male parliamentarians took part. For example, my postponed trip to Taiwan and other conferences I attended within the country as a representative of ABG almost got me replaced as a Deputy Speaker. Even my attendance of this conference is not going well with some of the male parliamentarians.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, in summation I wish to let you know that in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, women still struggle for recognition of their values, contribution into the economy, for equal opportunities, inclusion and participation in decision making.

Therefore:-

Women need to challenge the oppressive marco status quo. Men need to accept, recognize and respect the labor of women and the product of their labor as a valuable contribution to the life, growth, development progress and prosperity of a nation.

Increasing the number of women in parliament will improve the quality of decisions made. Further more women’s contribution to decisions in parliament will ensure the priorities of half of the population will be reflected in national decisions – allowing the voices of our mothers, aunties, daughters and sisters be heard.
Having women in parliament will provide role models for girls and contribute to a strong nation and lastly I believe that women politicians bring in a voice that has not been heard before in parliament and they bring in a balance.

cooks | role of media

2006-04-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cook Islands case studies – women in politics and the media

Jason Brown has been a journalist in the Cook Islands since 1982; and has gone from print to television to publishing online while freelancing and serving as the Cook Islands correspondant for IBI. He notes that the first country in the world to give women the vote was not New Zealand in 1893 but the Cook Islands, just a few years before. However he also notes that when the resident commissioner changed, women in the Cook Islands also lost the vote and that the lesson to be learnt is not just making things change but making change stick.

In 2002, I had the very great fortune to accompany a young woman from Tahiti to a world conference on hiv.aids with 15,000 other delegates.

It was an overwhelming experience for someone brought up on a small island – big crowds, big governments, companies and big issues.

And that was just me from the sidelines!

I think you’ve all heard of Maire Bopp Dupont. In 2002, as the representative for the world’s small communities, Maire had to give a speech in front of 12,000 people at the closing ceremonies of the 14th World AIDS Conference.

At those ceremonies, Maire was on stage with just three other people: the conference chairman, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. Hugely powerful men, who arrived in limousines with dark tinted windows and a staff of a dozen or me each.

Maire had me, her bag boy and media puppy.

As a former journalist, Maire Bopp Dupont also knew the power of information. Before the closing ceremonies she told me that she wanted to say something about military spending and to compare it with spending on AIDS.

So I went onto the BBC news site and tracked down spending for the American armed forces. If I recall correctly, I think it was US$394 billion. Maire compared this with the US$10 billion being asked for AIDS.

As Maire was speaking, I was watching Bill Clinton who had his legs stretched out and his chin resting on his hand, listening carefully. When Maire got to the bit about the US$394 billion I saw Clinton give a kind of a twitch and I thought – uh oh – he didn’t like that bit!

But I thought to myself - he could not argue with what Maire had said because she had the facts.

I think there are two important points here.

One point is that women in politics can use facts and figures reported by the media to strengthen their statements and their policy statements. It shows you are in touch. It shows that you listen to other points of view. It shows that you are accountable to what is happening in your community.

It shows that you’re not too busy or important to read the same news as everyone else!

If I want to know more about a current issue, I not only look on the web. I also use a service like Google News to send me daily headlines. I don’t read everything but every now and then a headline will catch my eye and that will help give me background and keep me up to date.

Keeping an eye on the headlines also gives you a feel for what is happening internationally and, most importantly, how issues and efforts in your own country fit in on the global stage.

Last week, I bought a copy of Time magazine because of the headline and what it said about the environment: Be worried. Be very worried.

Now the more news and information you take in from the media, the more you get a feeling – an “intuition” that women are supposed to be famous for – and that men call by the less flowery name of a “gut” instinct – the more you get a feeling for how the world is changing around you and how that effects your country.

What this means is that women can use the media, to USE the NEWS to pick an issue and run with it, to become known as the main person in your community, your party, your country, to talk about this one issue.

Right now, for example, as a journalist, I can think of few better issues for women in politics than the one raised by Time. They are saying that global warming is no vague notion. That it global warming and sea level rise is not something that will affect our kids or their kids, but ourselves in our life times.

As I researched online for this presentation, I asked Google News to find me articles on gender, women and the environment. Most of the 600 or more articles were about the working environment for women rather than women working for the environment.

But I went through zip zip zip scanning all 600 headlines as quickly as I could and limiting myself only to headlines that were very obviously about women and the global environment. All 600 headlines. It took me about half an hour and I got about a dozen articles.

Three of those articles pointed to different aspects of a storm that is brewing in gender politics and the United Nations. There is growing pressure on the United Nations to recognise the fact

> that only 16% of its under secretaries are women.
> that no woman has ever been secretary general
> that no women were on the list for the new director of the United Nations Environment Programme
> that women’s programmes are scattered around under a half dozen or so divisions and that women do not have their own.

In fact you could say that these gender politics are brewing up into what Hollywood calls the Perfect Storm!

But these areas are being well covered at this workshop.

What I am trying to point out is that women in politics can use the media to keep informing themselves about issues like these after this workshop ends and the next one begins.

Which leads me to my second important point:

That you don’t need to be a women in politics to make a difference as a women to politics. Or to have a huge staff of advisers.

I still remember Barcelona and how Bill Clinton got up to speak after Maire had finished talking, including about all the spending on the US Military.

His notes were ready and his speech was all prepared. As he read from his speech notes he referred to the tragedy of 911 and the fact that 3,000 people died on that day – but that many more people die of AIDS every day. He also referred to the fact that the costs of fighting terror in Afghanistan would pay the annual AIDS bill in just a few weeks.

It was then that I realised that Bill Clinton had twitched during Maire’s speech not because he disagreed with what she was saying but that she had had the same idea as he had – and had the facts and figures to back it up.

She was a woman from a small island state who used the power of the media to help make her point to a global audience.

Tereapii Carr is a founding member and the current President of the Group for Political Change (GPC). She was amongst women such as Elizabeth Araiti Ponga and Lynnsay Francis who led a wave of public protest in November 2002 because the Cook Islands was about to have its fifth coalition government in three years. Both Tere Carr and Elizabeth Ponga stood as Independent MPs in the 2004 elections.

Reflections of an Independent Candidate for Women in Politics Workshop – April 2006

In November 2002, when I began working with the GPC, it had never entered my mind that I should stand as a candidate in a general election. Our role was to provide a forum for voter education through the medium of radio and TV for a public who had come to realize that their views on important issues were being disregarded by MPs. Time and time again, the public’s call for political reform was ignored by parliament. No amount of grandstanding from the sidelines would influence MPs to heed the call for political reform, as many of them had become comfortable with the self-serving lifestyle politics offered. It appeared that listening to the public was not high on their agenda.

With the general elections some 9 months away, supporters of our GPC radio talkback asked Elizabeth Ponga and myself to stand as candidates in the September 2004 elections as people wanted to have a choice other than the traditional two party candidates. “We’ve heard what you are about and what you stand for, so why don’t you walk the talk and give us an option”, they asked.

In March 2004 I met my constituency MP, who was a Minister of the Crown at the time, to tell him that I was considering standing as an independent candidate in the coming elections. I told him that my focus was on political reform rather than constituency issues, and that more money needed to be spent in areas such as health and education, as matters of first importance for any nation. I re-iterated the fact that some people in our constituency did not want to vote for either party and had asked me to stand so that at least they had another choice. He asked how many people would support my issues-based stance and I guessed (very hopefully) that at least 80 people would be prepared to step outside the square and vote for an Independent member. He wished me luck at the polls and with a smile, said he did not see me as a threat to him retaining his seat at the elections.

Two days later I received a phone call to meet with my MP again as he had something important to tell me. As I sat in his office, he said that he had thought over what we had spoken about previously and wanted to ask if I was willing to step aside and not stand in the up-coming elections. He promised that should he win the seat again, he would stand down at the next elections after that and recommend to his committee that I be selected as his successor. I must admit to being surprised by his offer - it was as if the title of MP was like a title of royalty that one passed down to next in line. I re-emphasized the fact that I was standing for reform issues and was not interested in sacrificing those principles to tow the party line.

I gave my MP one month to publicly support the call for reform within his party, which at that time was the government. “People in our constituency will respect your stance”, I said “and there would be no need for me to stand as the reason people were supporting me was because of my political reform stance”. A month passed and I had heard nothing to indicate that my MP was going to go public in support of political reform. It was time to announce my decision to stand as a candidate and so in May 2004 I wrote an article for a couple of newspapers stating my reasons for standing. I was also able to use our radio talkback and TV interviews to inform the public that I was going to put my money where my mouth was.

The backlash from MPs was immediate. On May 31st 2004 at the final parliamentary sitting before the elections, a prominent member of parliament spoke publicly over national radio saying to other MPs, ”Can I tell you a joke? One of the candidates standing as an independent declared that she will not insult the electors of her village by offering them drinks and barbeques in order to gain favour. Well I have news for her, there are hundreds of voters in that village wanting to be insulted. So to that ambitious candidate, don’t kid yourself. You are just mean and miserable you don’t want to shout them, that’s why you are saying you don’t want to insult them. He went on to say the most an independent candidate could expect was 5 votes at the polling booth. As I listened to the radio in the car park of my children’s school and heard the mocking laughter from MPs in the house, I realized the knives were out and the “old boy network” in parliament was not going to allow any political outsider to come along and threaten their club. It certainly was not going to be a smooth ride.

Right, I thought, 5 votes is a good starting point but if I wanted to do better than that then I needed to do some serious work. Without the support of party propaganda and finance, the best form of campaigning available to me was to knock on doors and meet the people in my constituency face-to-face. I put a pamphlet together to hand out to voters and my trusty printer churned out pages and pages of my homemade pamphlet. And so it began, the knocking on doors while the heart is doing one hundred miles an hour as I had no idea whether doors would be slammed in my face or whether people would sit and listen to what I had to offer. While many had heard me on radio and seen me on TV, actually meeting voters is a different experience, as when you meet people you really are at their mercy. But I was surprised to find that I was the first candidate to ever visit some people in their homes as the party system relied on blind support from longstanding supporters and their families. I naively assumed that door-to-door campaigning was the normal way of doing things.

Early in my campaign, one well-meaning voter told me that Cook Islanders are like sheep. “You round them up in a tractor”, he said, “and feed and water them (with food and alcohol) until Election Day and I guarantee you, they will vote for you!” The thing was I had made my campaign an issues-based one and was hoping there were those who valued better health and education for all Cook Islanders more than the food and alcohol being offered by party candidates. The significance of the tractor didn’t hit home until one woman said to me, “I have a field that needs to be ploughed, if you do it, you will get my vote.” Now I understood why my fellow male candidates used tractors as their mode of transport within the village as a ploughed field in exchange for a vote was a fair deal as far as my opponents were concerned.

As I continued my door-to-door campaign, I was fortunate to receive donations from people who lived outside my constituency but who supported the work I was doing. I was able to use this money to pay for a couple of TV ads using the slogan “enough is enough”. This combined well with the GPC radio talkback, which continued almost up to Election Day and ensured that people knew about my issues-based campaign before I knocked on their door. It broke down many barriers and I believe that the media and our use of it had prepared groundwork for me to be well received by many voters in my constituency.

It is sad though to say that the most opposition I received in my village came from women, both young and old, who believed I had no place being a candidate. You’re too young, you haven’t done enough community service or joined any sewing groups, you should be at home looking after your children and so on. I wondered if the same pre-requisite was required of my male counterparts or was it enough that they had been were born a male. While women are the workhorses of the party movement cooking endless meals to feed voters, it also seemed as if they had been conditioned to be resentful and negative to other women like myself who had the courage to stand up for what we believe in.

One mama said that although she loved what I did on radio and agreed with my reform views she couldn’t vote for me because it would upset her parents who were founders of her party. On asking where her parents were, the 75-year old mama replied that although they had died, they would know if she didn’t vote for the party. Whoever had said that people would vote for a coconut that had a party name written on it must have had an experience like this.

Finally, Election Day arrived and my campaigning efforts would be put to the real test. Early that morning, well before booths had opened, party supporters picked up voters and took them to their headquarters for breakfast before taking them to the polling booths to vote. With such pressure put on people by the parties, all I could hope for was that some of my supporters would keep their word and vote for me. For some people, a change in government would mean loss of jobs for those who had acquired political positions within the public sector. It is a vicious cycle that puts immense pressure on voters to stick with the party system.

Later that night, when the results were announced, I was pleased to receive over 100 votes which was a lot more than the 5 predicted. I gave people an alternative and they had responded. Although the sitting MP won by a small margin of 8 votes on the night, he later lost his seat to the other party candidate due to his being convicted of bribery and corruption charges. Throughout the whole campaign, I had never thought of myself as a woman fighting for a seat in parliament. I was just glad I had been able to show people that change starts when someone takes a stand to challenge the status quo and to fight for equality for all people, regardless of party affiliations.

In summary, without the use of the media I would not have been able to bring issues into peoples homes. While few candidates of the main parties ran individual TV campaigns, the parties themselves used this medium extensively to churn out their propaganda. It was quite noticeable in my constituency that both party candidates increased their use of TV ads as election date drew closer. I took that as a compliment and found satisfaction in the fact that my opponents had to spend more money on advertising to counter the effect of my campaign.

As you can see, my campaign was more than collecting enough votes in my constituency to win a seat in parliament. It was also a deliberate attempt to focus voter attention on issues that affect our nation, rather than just our constituency. And long after the elections have gone, the GPC is still respected today for their political reform stance. Our continual effort to effectively harness the power of the media will ensure that one day our parliament will be a place where MPs, whether they be male or female, will value the people of our nation more than they value their own self-interests.

And as for the prominent MP who stated I needed to offer food and drink to voters, I’m proud to say I did not spend one cent, but he on the other hand was outspent with the winning candidate in his constituency spending over $70,000 to receive about 70 votes and a seat in parliament.

BACKGROUND TO GPC: The GPC believed that “fundamental democratic principles” were being eroded by the various factions within government who were opposed to each other because of leadership clashes. There had been no consultation with the public.
The GPC used the 1998 Political Review Commission Report as a starting point to address the most pressing issues for Political Reform in this country. They led a march on parliament and the then Prime Minister, Robert Woonton, responded by saying they would initiate reform within 2 weeks, however this did not happen. A media awareness campaign followed and in March 2003 a petition with over 2000 signatures was presented to government calling for amongst other things:

The abolition of the current MP Superannuation Scheme

Abolition of the overseas seat

Reduction in the term of parliament from 5 years to 3 years

As a result of the petition, the first two issues were achieved while the term of parliament was reduced to 4 years through a referendum at the 2004 general elections.
Recently, in response to public request, the GPC resumed its advocacy and awareness campaign and public debate to push for further political reform. The GPC have found that many of the issues raised by the 1998 Political Review Commission are just as relevant today as they were 8 years ago.

Florence Syme-Buchanan: A journalist and media consultant for over 20 years; she was one of the Cook Islands youngest published writers, and went on to lead public relations for the Cook Islands government when it was still very much a male stronghold, and at a time when she provided the only example of women in leadership in the media. She is passionate about seeing Pacific island women politicians taking the helm and steering towards developing better relationships with the media in their countries, and in particular, to benefit from being advocates of freedom of information approaches to transparent; accountable governance.

Florence Syme Buchanan: how to handle information and the media

Kia Orana,

I believe that we all have a duty to speak with candor during this conference, otherwise, it will have been a waste of time.
This presentation is based on my 20 plus years of experience in Pacific islands media as a journalist and media consultant. Allow me to be so bold as to say that these views are shared generally by all experienced media workers, whether they be involved in print, broadcast or the electronic media.

These views are given with the best of intentions and the sincere hope that perhaps it will help inspire better relations between politicians and the media, a better understanding of the work that we media people do, how we can help you in your work and how you yourselves can improve on the delivery of good governance in your respective countries.

Let us start at the beginning of a woman’s journey into politics. And let me emphasise that this applies to both women and men. At the outset, all know that the best way of getting their views, political platforms and ideas across is through the media. At this point in time, candidates love the media because of the publicity and exposure the media can give them. And so, the media is the candidate’s useful friend. A reporter’s phone is constantly ringing with candidates wishing to have their say – to get their message across. It’s a pretty good relationship.

But once elected, that once very useful media friend nearly always becomes the enemy -- and the media in general becomes regarded with fear and loathing by politicians. The media networking that was so important at the outset is discarded. In that respect, women are no different from men. I believe this dramatic change in attitude is due to the culture of secrecy that surrounds our Pacific island governments. The less the people know about what government is doing, the better – no hard questions from reporters – much better.

But allow me to remind our women politicians that NO ONE has the range and variety of contacts as the media. NO ONE asks as many difficult questions as the media – and this is not a bad thing as the media have a duty to pursue the truth and keep the public informed. NO ONE can give you an inside look at the development and governance issues as they exist right now as the media. It is true that the media does NOT have the whole picture. But they do have an inside picture that NO ONE else has.

News media are always asking questions. Every day, they go around, asking people about what the facts are and what their opinions are about those facts. But very few people come and interview the media about what they see as the facts and what their opinions are. Putting all these important points together and politicians can have a significant ally who has a good idea of what the issues are and can provide independent, valuable viewpoints that you can make use of.
An independent source who has a “finger on the pulse.”

Case in point: Being interviewed by representatives from foreign embassies in the lead-up to election time. They wanted a clear, independent picture of what was happening in politics. They did not go to the politicians or political groups – they went to the media.

When politicians are in the opposition, they want the state radio and TV to be open and transparent to the opposition. When politicians are in government, they want the state radio and television to only reflect government views. Stop political interference in state broadcasting: instead, protect the independence of your state broadcaster. Become a strategic partner with state broadcasters and ask them how you can help make them or keep them independent. That independence is crucial is being able to deliver accurate factual information to the public.

If you are attacked by someone in the media, try not to take it personally. This is the time when you should get extra friendly with that reporter. Invite them for coffee. Talk about the issues. Get their opinion. Ask them what they think. Then hold a press conference and use what you have learnt to acknowledge the criticism and respond to it constructively.

Use criticism of your party or government to illustrate challenges faced by women. Ask whether these issues would exist if women were given more equal treatment and a more equal share of power and resources.

Use any facts and figures you can lay your hands on: get on the Statistics Office mailing list. If you are talking about jobs for women, quote statistics about how big Gross Domestic Product is. Ask questions like: how much of GDP went to women? If we don't know know, ask why not? Are we invisible?

Point to gaps in national statistics: where are the specifics on womens health issues? Where are the details on pay for women?

For example, here in the Cook Islands, there are some general health stats on the internet. But detailed health stats are unavailable to the media and the ordinary person. National breast cancer figures will not be released, instead we have rumours of non-smoking teenage women, even men, developing breast cancer on the island of Mangaia. The travel figures racked up each year by politicians are kept secret here. Why? The media can only surmise --- breast cancer figures would be bad for our tourism, what politicians spend each year on travel would receive widespread public criticism.

It is important that you build bridges with the media by becoming an information advocate: support calls for Freedom of Information legislation. Why Freedom of Information?

Like everyone else, women politicians need to have ready access to information. This helps them make informed decisions and prepare good Parliamentary arguments/cases and helps you avoid being accused of being emotional.

One of the biggest criticisms of the media is that it reports rumours and gossip: so help the media get the facts instead. Support FOI legislation -- it makes for more honest, transparent governments. Each woman politician has the ability to push for FOI in their respective countries. Do it now and historians in time will record your efforts to build better governments, more informed societies. Freedom of Information, sometimes known as Officianl Information Acts would make a huge difference in Pacific island countries in that a disclosure regime would do away with rumour mongering and the culture of government secrecy. To build a better society, governments have to be open with official information and realise that information belongs to the people, not the administrations

A lack of FOI leads to lack of transparency and accountability which leads to a lack of level playing fields for women with men being able to keep things twisted to their advantage. With an FOI women would better be able to keep men playing by the rules instead of having to compromise all the time because of dirty politics.

Political rumour mongering is rife in the Pacific – FOI helps do away with that. If men have to operate in the open it again helps keep a level playing field for all in politics.

Finally, ask for media training. Respect the role of the media. You have a job to do as a women in politics. So do women - and men - in the media. Find out about their job, why they love it, and what you can do to make their job easier.

If the media makes a mistake, don't take it personally. If the media reports unfair criticism, don't take it personally. Curse and swear and cry in private but in public show the media and everyone else how calm you can be under fire. As Pacific Islanders we know how to joke and tease - don't stop!

Think like a reporter: what are the facts? Where can I find the facts? Who is keeping the facts secret? If there are no facts, or not enough facts, join the media by publicly calling for Freedom of Information legislation and for transparency and accountability in government.

In Conclusion: we started talking about networking: as you network with the media and ask them questions, you become a real person to them, not just a distant political candidate. Reporters are like anyone else: they are nicer to the people they know.

Kia manuia

Vaine Iriano Wichman, MP – is a daughter of the nation who served the region, and then returned home to serve her country. Now a development consultant when she is not on select committees for parliament amongst her other duties as a member, she is a former social economist with the SPC in Noumea; with her skills still taking her abroad from her Cook Islands base.

Introduction

Aim – to share an experience, on how I ran for and won my seat

Media means the channel to communicate information to the people/public.

In my first attempt at this game (2003):

Maybe there was too much overdrive on the use of the media tool (newspaper, tv, radio) to do something I already had in me, but didn’t think to use (you don’t want to know how much I spent)

On reflection though, it was clear I lost because no one really knew who I was in Ruaau (sure they knew Arama and made sure I didn’t forget that, but they didn’t know me)

In my second attempt, it was no longer a game just to play; it was a game to win (2004):

Media avenues were already friendly and cooperated with women candidates (free) (5%)

The media strategy of my campaign. No posters. Headquarters looked after the radio and newspaper appearances and stories. I looked after the only TV ad I ever had. (Spent from myself -$1,500) (5%)

I didn’t have to fight or promote issues as most Cook Islanders are aware of my monthly economy column, which I have been writing for the newspaper since I resigned from Government in 1998 to set up my consulting company, definitely reflect issues that belong to the people (free, apart from my time and the experience I was sharing) (10%)

My committee looked after the converted through the fund raising events and BBQs (lots of donations from supporters, mainly foodstuff (live pigs and kits of food!!!) which were raffled off to fill our Ruaau party coffers (by the beginning of the official campaign period we had $20,000 to use for party social activities and projects, we used half on two projects – Ruaau clinic and water filter for Arorangi School, and the other half the Party executive used to organize social evenings where we still made money from donations to our bar and sale of plates of food) (40%)

My main media strategy. Sitting down in the non-friendly party homes and telling real stories until one of us gave in. (40%)

Now in Parliament:

Never have had to foster any relationship with the formal media channels, experience in another life has taught me how to work with them;

Have changed my emphasis now to always represent the whole story, or the whole environment, rather than a party line or a personal view;

Continue to write my economy columns for the sake of keeping me focused on the social and economic principles that are important in this country;

Make time to wander and work in the community whether supporting women at a village function, fundraising, school activities, or wider community/family functions (my way of keeping on the pulse of how well or how sick the community is);

Small words of advice to sum up:

Do unto others as you would want done to you.

Media is a channel to share information to the people. Make sure your information is true.

Learn to share and tell stories – talking, writing, and drawing.

Keep your word. Keep your word.

Speak your truth gently, kindly

The first duty of love is to listen

Kia orana e kia manuia

piaf calls for more women to fight hiv.aids

2006-04-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

PIAF Calls For More Women To Lead Response

More women need to be given responsibility – and support – in responding to the realities and hardships of HIV and AIDS in the pacific region, says the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation.

“It is women who suffer the highest infection rates, face the greatest economic losses and struggle against huge gender and social inequalities,” says Maire Bopp, PIAF Chief Executive Officer.

Women and girls make up 50 percent of reported HIV/AIDS cases across the globe reports the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Young women, aged 15-24 years, are most at risk and are three times more likely to be infected that young men of the same age.

In the Pacific Islands region, 45 percent of reported HIV/AIDS cases are women or girls, and in some countries women outnumber the men as those living with the virus. Women also account for the fastest increase in infection rates as HIV becomes most commonly transmitted through heterosexual relations.

“Despite these realities, it is men who make most of the decisions affecting HIV responses,” says Bopp.

PIAF is calling for gender balance to be made a priority at senior levels of regional health programs.

“It may be a question of capacity, a limited number of Pacific women with limited qualifications, so let’s address that,” says Bopp.

Only by increasing the number of women at the top of regional HIV responses will policy begin to reflect and support global objectives for women, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) signed in 2000. MDGs call for combating the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.

“There is a regional theme set by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community which says it all: when you include women, you double the power in the decision-making process.”

“Without women, HIV policy is only half as effective,” says Bopp.

PIAF says that much progress has been made by dozens of local, national, regional and international agencies in raising awareness on the unique threats faced by the Pacific Islands in confronting HIV and treating AIDS. Early steps towards care and treatment are also beginning to grow regionally, if not nationally.

“We can not lose momentum now. Women must be brought into decision-making processes in greater numbers and higher levels, or we risk not effectively meeting our targets for 2015, now less than a decade away.”

Contributions by women show up strongly in national economic indicators, says Bopp.

Countries who fail to support women or restrict their development also fail to recognize simple mathematics – that women make up half the population of any nation.

We call on women leaders to step up to this challenge to help protect and care for our women and children across the Pacific Islands region.

tonga | role of the youth parliament

2006-04-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Lepolo Taunisila
Member of Parliament
Legislative Assembly of Tonga

Being chosen to be a lead member of any vital meeting, you are obligated with certain responsibilities whereby you’re fulfilling them with your BEST. If there’s any proposed meeting or being called upon one you must firstly understand and be sure that there’s going to be benefits and disadvantages of such proposals. Nevertheless, one must accept both in relation to you like being criticized. However not to mention your esteem and pride has been restored outside the meeting you’re joining following the approval of the members.

When I was chosen to be a member of the YOUTH PARLIAMENT (YP), I then understood that there’s a certain amount of trust invested in me and my given tasks, in comparison to the result of the campaign providing that the consequences of the issues I support will be beneficial for the development of all youths of Tonga as a whole.

However, the PARLIAMENT or the Legislative Assembly of Tonga is one HOUSE and consist of three main tables who own the right to discuss, People’s- People’s Rep and the Noble’s Table-Honorary Representatives of the people’s land and settlement and the Governments Table headed by the  PM- Performing administration interactions regarding citizens.

It has been 3 ongoing year for me to join the YP gathering in different areas and to be a member of the YP you have to register in that certain area you are willing to take side from. For instance; Peoples’ Representative Candidate, Noble’s Representative Candidate and a Candidate to be a Ministers and Prime Minister. The age given for members to join youths is 14-35 subjected to vote as a member of the YP. This election though is done individually on one’s own island where you register from whereas the Prime Minister’s election is voted nationally.

The 3 main tables of the Parliament differd function wise throughout the past 3yrs in which I have been a member. In the year 2003 I was the No. 1 People’s Representative for my island Vava’u and the 2nd Rep was a male subject. We traveled to the main island Nuku’alofa with the needs and demands of Vavauans.

To the extent; in my view of myself as a female, first time to become a MP, I wanted the first day of our session to be my day of learning. To watch how a speech is delivered and an experience suitable for me to perform.

The main issue of discussion this very year was for the YOUTHS OF TONGA to have its own separate Ministry or Department. The first day of the Parliament all members revealed their needs and reasons why YOUTHS should have their separate ministry – The Government doesn’t provide enough funding in comparison to the work developments YOUTH are capable of.-Majority of the problems in Tonga are caused by Youths and by having its own ministry will be a main contribution to solving the problems by having more organized PROGRAMS for them.

This was opposed mainly by the Government table saying that there is not enough funding to this separate ministry providing that there is a vast amount of money needed in order to carry this out as well as the problems caused by youth; there are laws and punishments by law already approved for such. At the same time the People’s Rep’s questioned the Government expenses and acknowledging them that those are wasted findings.

The session went on until the evening session of the 2nd day I was able to have a chance to talk. At that very moment I was able to tell that the Government’s Table was disappointed knowing that they will refuse to listen to any motion proposed from the People’s table. While the meeting continued I was thinking of a way that we can actually agree on. When my chance finally came up I firstly acknowledged that THERE IS a problem occurring and continued on to one of the many skills of women being able to enticement! I then requested during my moment of enticement for the Government to do something about the YOUTH of Tonga. It’s already understood though that they have done a great deal but should have taken note of the level; Youths. This skillful tactic of women; enticement mellowed down the Government Table and so wanted to listen to my motion and as a result accepting my proposal upon other conditions such as handing in a Draft Proposal and Work Strategies so that they’ll be able to look up this separate Ministry.

In the year 2004, I was a Candidate for Minister’s Table winning also the vote of the YP. Prime Minister that year chose me to be the Attorney General and Minister of Justice up to the year 2005.The most important issue being forming up a National Youth Policy to run the separate Ministry we have asked for earlier (2003).I was from the Government’s Table reminding that there is now a Ministry but still without a Proposal nor a Work Strategy for the Government to assess. I highlighted to the other tables that there are applicable punishments to motions proposed and any new board or ministry established according to my knowledge its policies must always be formed in accordance with the Work Strategies proposed. This proposed motion for the youth to have a different Ministry is still without any Proposal, none altogether and there can be any such time that someone will waste his /her time forming up Any Policy without a proposal. So I then proposed if they are that unorganized then they should propose to the Government table being moved to a much smaller department with a lesser portfolio like the Ministry Of Labour. I then continued on to saying that they should’ve realized how certain departments of the Government are still within one Ministry like Agriculture and Fisheries, Prison and Fire Service. Those are bigger departments and have larger tasks assigned to them. Agriculture and Fisheries provide income through certain artifacts and it has been years for them trying to have their own ministry mind you with different proposals but as for your case you will not be accepted to do so.

The session was carried forward to the issue of Working Strategies proposed by the Minister of Health for the YP 2004 if it would be possible to form up a policy about children using ID’S (Identification Card) when buying liquor. According to the Hospital’s Record there is a very high number of affected children under the age 18 the cause being consuming tobacco and he believes that having those id’s will help reduce the problem in regard the healthiness of human beings. I then, clearly stated to my Co-Rep that the law for selling tobacco was just revised recently in 2000 incorporated with the Ministry of Labour to ensure that the smaller retail shops do not sell tobacco individually for this is how the children can afford a cigarette. Instead it’s wiser to sell it in packets. Here the penalties implied upon such small retails stores for such performances were put forward whereby their business license can be disregarded if they continue to do so.

Furthermore this year YP in March I registered as a Prime Minister Candidate (PM election are elected inter island).When I won the election I was both happy and a bit frustrated from the assigned tasks  I was responsible for wanting the best out of  being prepared as well as my general knowledge regarding my position. My knowledge regarding every Ministry and how they interact within the Govt. We opened the Parliament with 14 Ministers (5 of which were females,2 from the People’s Reps Table and 1 from the Noble’s Table)

I invested a lot of time thinking out how to express my ideas. Seeing that I am going to be from the Government Table and I have to support them as well. At the same time I was chosen by the whole of Tonga. As a consequence I changed my mind to remain neutral because I am not only the Government’s PM but the PM for the whole of Tonga and in remaining so I will neutralize (to the most possible) and conclude for them in the end to make it most satisfying for each and every member of the TNYC 2006.

Being female and a lead member of the Parliament another issue raised to discuss proposed by the People’s Rep (who was a male) to increase the punishment years for the Accused in raping charges (OF WOMEN).The session went on and according to my view his suggestion was not well supported and unorganized with according to the Constitution of the House. During his speech I asked him if he could identify whether his proposal was a motion or a BILL. He answered promptly that it was of both. But according to my knowledge of Parliaments Work Strategies proposed he is wrong and my intention of questioning him was to reveal the right thing for him to do and how his proposal should have been like resulted with him shouting, “You are a woman and yet you want less punishment for abusers of your own gender?”. I was confused, furious and did the wrong thing instead, I yelled back at him to listen to what I say because it is right and not only that but I also told the other members of the meeting to disregard his motion because it was unorganized and do not say that as the people are listening and you are misleading the female audiences and took it wrong that I do not support them! “And you rather be quiet and do not make me go further on you”.

My response was much different compared to that of the 2 reps of the Niuas which is farther from Nukualofa asking if the price for traveling by ferry can be reduced. But according to the report from the PM’s office they are watching an extra on this situation providing that it is only those 2 islands prize are subsidized. My answer was to acknowledge that it was TRUE and indeed they ARE the only 2 islands being subsidized and there is a certain amount of money that the Government pay for every voyage (ie: TOPT$300,000.00).I also proposed the cost of operation of the shipping company and that it is a unsuccessful attempt to cover up the loss from every voyage to the Niuas and if they are requesting for a half prize it is now going to be unfair for the rest of the Kingdom. I then concluded by proposing the way of requesting despite that everything is understood, for them to  ask the Government to exclude the Tariff Charges and Fuel Surcharges as well.

Overall in my position as a woman AND socializing with the rest of the members for the past three years. In Tonga it is traditional for women to be respected it is not a law but on every heart of  a Tongan this is  well understood. Nowadays things are so much different sometimes they are respected and at most times they are not, according to my firm view there are aspects and ways of working for your pride inorder to gain the respect of many.

Inside the Parliament when I was a People’s Rep or shall I put it as when you’re still questioning and curious about the Government rather, if there’s something for this and anything for that? When I was on this side my feelings was that the Govt is doing absolutely nothing! My work strategy however was carried out like this, I clearly state my motions support them with evidences mainly from surveys then continued on to lobbying, requesting as we speak and finally conclude with teary moments thanking their acceptation of my motions without voting at all.

From the Government Table the responses given to questions and clarifying them usually comes out unclear and performing such functions as well. To me I felt disappointed being in this table. Seeing that the other especial the People’s Representatives Table state things that untrue. The performance of  most of the members while questioning gets a bit over the boundaries which angers me to refuse from accepting their proposals and at most times agree to them as long as they’re satisfied knowing that this will take ages to do anything about this which is not the right things to do!

My position as a Prime Minister; to balance motions and conclude them I always make an attempt to respond clearly to the questioner that his/her motion is understood. Referring afterwards to the Ministry in which the questions are implied to to answer the question. Providing the right answer and not to be biased and on some cases if I could lend a helping hand to the Minister answering I would then help out.

Anyhow, those are the experiences I have went through and also note that they are work strategies designed by myself in my own time. I am not saying that this is the rightful way to do it because everyone is unique. But according to my beliefs your well being as a lead member rests in your capabilities YOU as a woman. BY RESPECTING OTHERS,OTHERS WILL RESPECT YOU. Like what the bible says do unto others as other will do unto you.

background | day one

2006-04-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Pacific Regional Workshop
on Advancing Women’s Representation in Parliaments
19-21 April, Cook Islands

Day 1
Background on Women and Politics Initiatives at Regional level

Objective
To provide a brief overview of WIP initiatives in the region by way of background to the discussion on women’s representation in Parliaments in the Pacific

1.     1994 – Pacific Platform for Action
Rethinking Sustainable Development for Pacific Women in the year 2000.  Represents the voice of Pacific women – is a statement of their identity, problems and measures to address these problems.  It is a statement of how they see the future and their role in shaping it.  Ati George Sokomanu, the then Secretary General of the South Pacific Commission stated:  we owe it to both our present and our future generations to give substance and concrete form to the Pacific Platform for Action.

2.     What does it say about the participation of women in politics?
Its Strategic Objective is to promote and encourage the full participation of women in family, political and public decision-making.

It recommends:

using CEDAW to promote legal literacy and democracy education for the purpose of mobilizing women to participate and vote in elections, and to use women’s votes to influence policy for peaceful, equitable, democratic goals;

education in basic political and leadership skills and encouraging and supporting women’s efforts to aspire to decision-making positions in formal and informal arenas;

promotion of women in elected political offices and appointed decision-making positions;

gender sensitization programme which enable people to consider aspects of their culture that do not treat girls and boys, men and women, as equals;

access to simplified legal information translated into vernacular;

and recommended leadership development and training for women for government and community positions.

3.     It set the target of 30% (ECOSOC) for women in decision-making levels of government.

4.     SPC was tasked with facilitating CEDAW training; identifying regional experts for training programmes; facilitating workshops on decision-making for women; and networking women leaders both past and present.

This didn’t come from out of nowhere – following global recognition of the need for the increased participation of women in decision-making.

-     through the UN charter (1945) which affirms, “faith in fundamental human rights, in he dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small”
-     through UN General Assembly resolution (1946 5b(1) ), that all member states which have not already done so, adopt measures necessary to fulfill the purposes and aims of the Charter by granting women the same political rights as men”
-     through the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) first session in 1947; adopted the first of many resolutions on women’s political participation.
-     In 1989 CSW Geneva Symposium on the Participation of Women in Political and Parliamentary Decision-Making declared:  “The political space belongs to all citizens:  politics is everyone’s business and affects the lives of each of us.  There is no doubt but that the more women are associated in numbers corresponding to their percentage of the population in the political decision-making; in parties; in elected bodies in government; and in international bodies, the more women can be associated with the process of protagonists, and the more they change the modalities and outcome of politics.  Only then will the concept of democracy find concrete and tangible expressions.  It has been underscored that democracy and the participation of women go hand in hand and promote each other mutually.
-     Thus in 1990, the CSW considered equality in political participation and decision-making as a priority issues and in 1991 an expert group meeting was held in Vienna.  Involvement of the UN, IPU and international NGOs continued this work, leading up to this year when this issue was the subject of the CSW50.

5.     What happened in the 10 years between the PPA, Beijing and the PPA review?  UNIFEM took the lead in partnership with the Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP).  The following events/programmes were implemented in support of global, regional and sub-regional efforts to realize what has been a long standing recognition and commitment and lobby beginning at international level, through their Women in Politics programme.

6.     With the support of CAPWIP, the following events were held at regional level:
-     1994:  attendance of Pacific island delegation to the first Asia-Pacific Congress of Women in Politics.
-     1995: First Congress of Women in Politics Pacific Center (WIPPAC) held in Fiji; commitment by UNIFEM to train women politicians.  Proceedings were taken to the Second CAPWIP Congress in Beijing.
-     1996:  third Asia-Pacific Congress of Women in Politics in cooperation with WIPPAC held in Fiji.
Continued endorsement and regional support for UNIFEM WIP programme.  Little involvement by the SPC and PIFS.

7.     Stages of progress or focus were as follows:
8.     Examples of activities in the Pacific include:
-     1998, Solomon Islands saw more women running in both the municipal and national elections; victory for Hon. Hilda Kari who became a Cabinet Minister; experience of the last election makes interesting comparison.
-     Kiribati voter education workshops; however, impact not clear.
-     Papua New Guinea was provided support for successful women candidates.
-     Marshall Islands developed a 2 year plan for organizing leadership training.
-     Vanuatu formed VANWIP and supported women to contest the election and for political education
-     Fiji support for candidates in municipal and national elections; development of women’s caucus; opportunities for leadership training, etc.

9.     2003 UNIFEM Training and Congress on Positioning Pacific Women for Progress in Fiji.  The objectives of the meeting were to conduct training on transformative citizenship and leadership; to consult, review and identify strategies for progressive implementation of programmes to support gender equality and empower women; and to consider the review report of the WIPPAC and future plans.

10.      Outcomes of the meeting included the strong recognition of the work of NGOs in supporting and working towards the increased participation of women in politics in the region and underscored the need to support the growth and involvement of NGOs in this area.  It also recommended multi-pronged approach to support including:

voter education including activities to change attitudes to women candidates;

training programmes to encourage and prepare aspiring women candidates, both before and after the national and local council elections;

to develop and understanding of political processes and systems in order to better appreciate how they contribute to improved governance;

gender training for all political candidates;

reform of electoral systems to enable more women to participate in politics including quotas or party incentives for those with successful women candidates;

and research on barriers to women’s political participation and documentation of successful cases; and lessons learned

11. On WIPPAC, the meeting recommended that UNIFEM continue to host WIPPAC; that local WIP organizations provide comments to UNIFEM on the review; institutionalizing of WIP training and TOT, using national and regional agencies and resources; use multi-level approaches to WIP programmes including networking with women of influence and linkages with other national initiatives to do with the advancement of women.

2004 review of the PPA
12. It recognized that we were still way behind and recognized that strengthening women’s representation in parliament and at all levels of decision-making in a country are determinants of good governance and true democracy. All governments were urged to: create an environment that is conducive for women to stand in elections; take affirmative action by promoting and putting in place policies and practices that enhance gender parity in political participation; promote and strengthen the practice of shared decision-making within the family and within communities; take an affirmative approach by encouraging capable women of our society to participate in politics at all levels of decision-making in various institutions; provide security mechanisms for women candidates in the national general elections; and encourage equal participation of men and women in public life, in political parties, statutory bodies and Boards and management roles in governments, the private sector and civil society organizations; undertake a multi-sectoral approach to investment in the national machinery of women, involving key government ministries including MOW, MOF, MNP working together to mainstream gender issues and concerns throughout the government process.

Day one | women in politics workshop | 2006

2006-04-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Sisters-in-arms: Sole Papua New Guinea MP Dame Carol Kidu and Bougainville Deputy Speaker Francesca Semoso head up to the third story conference room.

Electoral reform headed discussions over day one of the women in politics workshop in Rarotonga.

Numerous country experiences and case studies were also presented.

electoral reform workshop focus
opening speech minister mau munukoa
opening women in politics workshop
comments from opening
cooks role of media
cooks role of media case studies
photos day one wip 2006
photos day one wip 2006
photos day one wip 2006
photos day one wip 2006
random quotes wip 2006
IPU overview women in politics
UNDP overview women in politics
morning session wip day 1
background day one
women in politics agenda rarotonga 2006
media advisory contacts

More presentations will be added to this site as digital copies become available.

photos | day one | wip 2006

2006-04-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

random quotes | wip 2006

2006-04-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

Francesca Semoso: I was involved in the formulation of the reserve seats for women on Bougainville. When we started we asked for 12 seats and the men asked what the hell do you want 12 seats for women for? That was the language that they used. And in negotiation they wanted to cut it back to nothing and I said that there better be at least three seats or I’m going to burn this house down!

Beatrice Vernaudon: Pacific Parliamentarians Association? Is this not a network we should be working in order to promote our cause while at the same time reassure some people including the men who I thought might be present at this meeting.

Samantha Hung: I think you might be referring to FPOCC Forum Island Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference and the recommendations from this forum will be going to this meeting. The chair is currently in the Cook Islands and that is why we are here at this meeting and trying to feed into that meeting.

Maire Bopp Dupont: Women are more sensitive to social issues and that makes them better at speaking for the people. That is the theory and is that the myth? It would be nice to have an inventory, to ask if that is what women really do when they are in power. When this law on parity came about a lot of women questioned whether women have not the right but the capacity. This showed me that people who enter a certain level of power want to keep a certain status quo. There was a discussion as to whether a woman can enter politics just like that? It was quite amazing because no one questioned the men!

photos | day one | wip 2006

2006-04-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

IPU overview | women in politics

2006-04-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Julie Ballington
Programme Officer – Partnership Betweeen Men & Women
Inter-Parliamentary Union
Chemin Du Pommier 5
PO Box 330
CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Genva, Switzerland
Tel: 41-22-9194149/50
Fax: 41-22-9194160

THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
Women’s Political Representation: Global Trends and Challenges
Outline of Presentation:

1.  Why Women in Parliament?

2.  Global and regional trends of women in parliament

3.  Recent achievement and countries with 30% women

4.  Factors influencing women’s participation


1. Why more women in parliaments?An Approach to Democracy
____________________________________________________________________

The IPU Universal Declaration on Democracy (1997):

     “The achievement of genuine democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences.”

Why more women in parliaments?International instruments
____________________________________________________________________

The Beijing Platform for Action (1995)
     “Women’s empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision-making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace.”

2. Women in Parliament 1945-2005
________________________________________________________________________

World Averages in Perspective1995-2005
Regional averages of women in Parliament: 1995, 2000, 2005
Regional Average: Pacific States
3. Recent Achievements
________________________________________________________________________

20.5% of MPs elected in 2005 were women, up from 11% in 2000.

Nine countries elected more than 30% women

Elections in post-conflict states:

Afghanistan = 27.3%

Burundi = 30.5%

Iraq = 31.5% and 25.5% women

Liberia = 12.5%

Parliaments with less than 10% women: 66 (37%)

Kuwait: Right to vote and stand for election granted in May 2005

Countries with 30% women
Women in the Executive
________________________________________________________________________

4. Factors Influencing Women’s Participation
________________________________________________________________________

Special measures:

Reserved seats; Candidate quotas; Political party quotas

Training and candidate support

Political parties and movements

Electoral Systems

Political Culture:

Awareness raising campaigns

Addressing stereotypes and working with media

Factors Influencing Women’s Participation
________________________________________________________________________

International discourses:

CEDAW

BPFA

Resolution 1325

MDGs

International and regional organisations, working with national bodies and civil society

Political will

Conclusion
_____________________________________________________________________

Research into Parliamentary Committees dealing with gender equality

Survey research on women in politics, and the contribution of parliamentarians to the promotion of gender equality

undp overview | women in politics

2006-04-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Carol Flore-Smereczniak
Pacific Regional Millennium Development Goals Specialist
UNDP Pacific Sub-Regional Centre (PSRC)
2nd Flr, YWCA Bldg, Ratu Sukuna Park, Suva
Tel: 679-3300399
Fax: 679-3301976

PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS
19-21 April 2006
Rarotonga,
Cook Islands

Objective

Enhance awareness of the Millennium Declaration and the MDGs

Highlight some of the dimensions of inequality addressed under Goal 3 + way forward

Hopefully, this will link the workshop discussions to the MDG achievement framework

Millennium Declaration

Commitment by 189 Heads of States & Governments at the Millennium Summit

Focus on specific dimensions of human development

Peace & security

Human Rights

Reproductive Health

Governance

Issue of countries in crisis & post-crisis

8 Major Goals … 2015

1.Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2.Achieve universal primary education

3.Promote gender equality & empower women

4.Reduce child mortality

5.Improve maternal health

6.Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases

7.Ensure environmental sustainability

8.Develop a global partnership for development

MDG Goal 3: Promote gender equality & empower women

Target: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and to all levels of education no later than 2015

Indicators:

Ratio of boys to girls in primary, secondary and tertiary education

Ratio of literate females to males 15-24 years old

Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament

Global observationson gender equality & women empowerment

Generally, economic and non-economic inequality has increased in many parts of the world

Certain forms of inequality have become more profound and more complex in recent times

General observations cont.

There is no country that treats its women the same as men

Women do not have the same opportunities as men

Despite some headway, women are still disadvantaged in economic and political life

General observations

Persistent gender gaps in:

Access to education

Decent employment

Fair & equal remuneration

> women in the workforce masks the deterioration in employment conditions of women, resulting in jobs with lower pay

General observations

Women’s unequal access to economic & non-economic opportunities :

lead to their lower status in society

Often results in abuse and sexual exploitation, and making them voiceless on issues that impact on their lives

The World’s Women 2005:Progress in Statistics

Focus on the availability of statistics to address gender concerns

Include disaggregated statistics on health, population, education and work

New focus on statistics on such aspects as violence against women, poverty, power & decision-making and human rights

The World’s Women 2005:Progress in Statistics cont.

Overriding concern in the Report about the large number of countries who do not report by sex on wages, births and deaths

GenderHow Goal 3 links to the other MDGs
Gender inequalities are often exacerbated by:

Lack of Economic well-being, relating to poverty & hunger (Goal 1)

Lack of Social development, such as

unequal access to education (Goal 2)

Fewer employment opportunities / decision-making (Goal 3)

Lack of adequate health services (Goal 4 & 5)

vulnerability to infectious diseases such as STI and HIV/AIDS (Goal 6)

GenderHow Goal 3 links to the other MDGs cont.
Gender inequalities exacerbated by:

Lack of Sustainable development (Goal 7)

limited access to safe drinking water

Unequal access to improved sanitation

Low control over environmental and energy resources

Slum dwellers / squatter settlements

Extreme inequalities and scarce resources often result in conflicts (women and girls more affected)

GenderSituation analysis in the Pacific

Gender imbalances and inequalities across sectors and society

Women are hit harder by poverty and hardship

Low access to paid employment for women; poor working conditions, limited access to ICT and low control of trade & market forces

Under-representation of women in leadership positions, with men continuing to dominate in decision-making at the highest level

Issues of

Gender-based violence

access to reproductive & primary health services

HIV/AIDS, STI, NCDs

Interventions needed to promote gender equality and women empowerment

The goal of social justice and equity must be explicitly incorporated in policies, programmes, legal frameworks

Increase awareness of the importance of, and provide education

Enhance equal access to and treatment in work and property rights (more and better employment opportunities for women,

Decent working conditions: equality, security and dignity

Legislate to protect women’s equal rights to property, assets, etc, taking account of cultural norms & values

Improve awareness of and access to women’s reproductive health services and rights

Prevent practices that are harmful to girls’ and women’s sexual and reproductive health and promote rights through legislation in compliance with international conventions (CEDAW, Beijing Platform of Action)

Address the plight of women migrant workers

Effective monitoring and implementation of laws protecting women’s human rights

GenderInterventions: what will it take?

Mobilization of stakeholders

Institutional strengthening & reform (mechanism for adequate women representation at all levels of government + training)

Support to national women’s machineries / appropriate budget

Lobbying & advocacy (awareness campaigns)

Address violence against women

Data collection & monitoring (gender disaggregated data)

Address systemic issues

Conclusion

If more women are better educated,

and have better health care,

There can be more women in better jobs,

Increasing higher levels of decision-making

If there is more support and training opportunities, it is possible to have more women in Parliament …

Thank you …

day one photos | women in politics | rarotonga 2006

2006-04-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

media advisory | contacts

2006-04-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Media advisory | contacts

Regional, national news media can contact workshop media contacts here:

Lisa Williams | SPC PWB Communications Officer
Jason Brown | SPC PWB media intern

Or phone +682 25435 at the Edgewater Resort and ask for the conference room. Information posted here is a mixture of finished stories and raw notes from the conference which can be quoted in an article using background information from the workshop.

opening speech | minister mau munukoa

2006-04-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

Kia orana

I am privileged to be here today to address you at the start of your workshop.  I am glad to see that you all made it safely to the Cook Islands.

You have come from far and wide to address a subject of great interest in our country and around the Pacific.  I am pleased to say that your attendance is a good response to a growing call for women to become agents of change in our communities.

The Pacific Forum had invited my Prime Minister to open this workshop.

But he cannot be here because he is fulfilling an engagement on the island of Atiu that normally would have fallen to me as Minister of Sports – except that I wanted to be here in Rarotonga to support the objectives of this workshop.

The invitation then passed to the Deputy Prime Minister but he said to me “Aunty Mau you are a senior Cabinet Minister, a former Deputy Prime Minister, and a woman.  You have to welcome our visitors.”

So now I stand before you this morning to convey the very best wishes of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and all my colleagues in Cabinet to you for an enjoyable and fruitful workshop.

When I look back on the history of Parliament in the Cook Islands which stretches back 41 years, I can observe I am only the third women parliamentarian and just the second women to serve in Cabinet.  And that Vaine Wichman who is representing the Cook Islands at this workshop is just our fifth and newest woman Member of Parliament.

I am sad to say the representation of women in Parliament in the Cook Islands has been few and far between, and it’s the same picture in other parts of the world.  In my personal view, this is a very good reason why workshops such as this one must be held to encourage more and more women to have a go at getting into Parliament.

Despite my country’s record, I’m actually quite positive about the status of women in the Cook Islands.  We are present at every level of society and I am confident more women will enter Parliament as we go forward.  But if we do, I will say it won’t be because we are a woman.  That is not relevant.  It will be because we have demonstrated in one way or another to the voters that we can improve people’s lives in our community or country.

When I observe that the numbers of women in Parliament here and in other countries are small, I remind myself of the verse in Matthew Chapter 7 in which the Lord says do not despair because faith, even the size of mustard seeds, will move mountains.

My message today is that the number of women in our Parliaments may be small like the size of mustard seeds, but with faith in the Lord and belief in ourselves we will still move mountains.

Thank you.  Best of luck and God bless you all.

photos | wip | day one

2006-04-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

morning session | wip | day 1

2006-04-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

Carol Flore-Smereczniak, Pacific Regional Millennium Development Goals Specialist, UNDP:

It is possible for other countries to change these trends and it is possible for the Pacific to do it. Some trends of inequality have become more profound and more complex.

UNDP report last year. There is a new focus to offer disaggregated data on a range of issues including violence against women and women in power. There is an exceedingly large number of countries who do not report by sex.

Seventy per cent of the world’s 1.2 billion poor people are women.

Across the Pacific region, we find that gender imbalances and inequalities are seen across societies. Women are hit harder by poverty.

Last figures I saw was that the average representation of women across the Pacific was 5.5% which is far below global targets of 30%.

What will it cost to take these interventions?

We need to have mobilisation of stakeholders. If more women have better access to education and health care there is more possibility for more women to have better access to opportunities.

Julie Ballington, Programme Officer for the Inter Parliamentary Union.

Women are making a difference by their mere presence. While steady, progress is slow. If the current rate of increase continues the global target for 30% women in parliaments will not be reached until 2025 and parity will not be reached until 2040.

Pacific is up 7.6% over the last six months. The highest percent rate is in fact the Pacific over the last 10 years and is in fact contributable to developments in New Zealand and Australia.

Excluding New Zealand and Australia the Pacific rate of increase drops to 3.5% which indeed is the lowest in the world.

Most of the ministerial appointments were so called soft portfolios including women, youth and community affairs.

Jon Fraenkel, Senior Research Fellow, Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development & Governance (PIAS-DG), USP, Suva:

We’ve got data sets from PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands and just now the Cook Islands. Data doesn’t address all the issues. There are qualitative issues as well.

One of the difficulties is that it’s often very difficult to tell the gender of a member of parliament from the names in that people in America and Europe go by very common names but that in the Pacific there are men who go by the name of a woman and women who go by the name of a man!

French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Guam and Wallis and Futuna form the top four according to regional ranking.

Tonga has moved up out of the “dirty half dozen” that they were once called.

It’s not just enough women getting elected but also not enough women standing for election.

Looking at it historically, the Solomons, for example, has seen exponential growth in the number of candidates. But the 50 seat parliament is all male. On Tuesday the all male parliament chose its all male government. And one of the consequences was an all male crowd who were protesting against corruption and holding up a placard which said have you signed your pledge against corruption.

Vanuatu: only 9 candidates were women with 227 men in 2004.

One of the conclusions is that you need to reach a kind of threshold – Julie Ballington said critical mass – for women to start making an impact, that you can’t rely on electoral system changes alone.

Francesca Semoso, Deputy Speaker, Member of Parliament, Bougainville. Let’s not hide anything. We can blame the men but something is wrong somewhere. Is it the women? Is it the men? Or is it the polling system? We have to do it the Pacific way. It’s got to start with us. French Polynesia is leading, what’s wrong with us here?

We have to change our attitude about how we regard other women. Forget about how many other marriages she’s gone through. Or what she wears. We want more women in high parliamentary positions and decision making. I don’t believe it’s the men who are the problem. I think it’s the women working through the men. Regardless of religion, education, it’s the attitude to go into parliament and represent the underprivileged. Forget it if you’ve got a PHD, you’ve got to come down to the people. Honesty has to prevail here, women.

That’s the reason why I travelled half way around the Pacific. To learn from you and what your experience is. The world is changing. I don’t want to deal with what was 20 years ago, I want to move ahead. One woman in PNG? Three women in Solomons? Next time we go to the United Nations I want to say that women have woken up!

Maire Bopp Dupont: Why Wallis and Futuna are not included in the legal requirement for equal participation by women?

Mrs Estelle Lakalaka, Déléguée aux Droits des femmes et à l’égalité : In 1961, when France gave the Wallis and Futuna islands overseas territory status the relevant act was applied without there really being any preparation for our community so I could say this was imposed to some extent.

But we have drawn benefits from it and learnt to live with it and there are some disadvantages to the status that we have. Because the community wasn’t very well informed, even though the women did have the opportunity to stand for election to the Wallis and Futuna assembly but because we weren’t really prepared the women didn’t really dare to see their names on the list of candidates, until 1997.

I was the first women to put their name forward and this was the second or third legislature. One of my brothers in law needed six people to put his party on the list and I volunteered my name and I think that was a starting point. When I said I was in agreement I must say that I knew nothing about politics but five years on I was appointed as the first women territorial council and the members were the three kings. From that moment on with assistance from the SPC women’s bureau I then began to understand the situation and the role that I had to play. Women had to act because we were very dependent on French aid from 1986 onwards with the inception of the Territorial Women’s Council in French Polynesia I felt actively encouraged to get involved.

This is due to two factors was that it was directly implemented without real preparation so we weren’t sure how to cope with that but did give us improved representation because we have now three members on the territorial but only have three because of a lack of awareness and lack of financial support. We don’t have any major difficulties with gender parity but there is a lack of information.

Kerry Flanagan, Executive Director, Australian Government Office for Women: most political systems in the Pacific do not have compulsory voting and that might be one thing we can look at to improve participation?
Jon Fraenkel: We know that voter turnout is very, very high and that the turnout by women is the same and that they participate very, very strongly.

Julie Ballington: I take the point about the importance of women really having to make an effort. However power is currently in the hands of men. So unless we work in partnership with men there is very little that can be done. In terms of the gender gap in voting is that worldwide that voting data is not desegregated by gender – less than 10 countries in the world. Previously less women used to vote than men but now we’re seeing an inversion – more women are turning out.

Hon Dame Carol: I think we’ve got to start looking at the Pacific reality. We have a society with social dynamics based on family relationships and that is very strong throughout the Pacific. Strong cultural economy based on giving and reciprocity and yet when we get into power we have a situation where you are working in a way quite alien to those cultural values. It’s going to be very difficult.

We have to accept the fact … sorry, we don’t have to accept the fact that there is a lot of gender work that is being done but that there is a lot of institutional resistance, not even political resistance. How can we massage this system we are part of and make it work? Economic independence of women is also very important. I didn’t see much reference to the informal sector. I get fed up with trying to get something through and then I use the power of the big boys which is what I term derivative power and get them working behind the scenes. Our traditional power is something that women once had but have lost. We have to learn to be very strategic and yet not compromise ourselves too much as women in power in politics. I find it’s a very difficult road to walk.

I know that if I was in an African meeting women would be shouting at me to never accept derivative power and I hope that there will be women from the Pacific shouting at me but sometimes we have to accept power as it is and how to use it.

Mrs Beta Tewareka Tentoa: Power struggle in a way that very often women are not very well prepared for it and we’re scared to go into it and unless there is provision there in place to help and assist women to get in there. If it’s all dependent on how strong, good, popular you are I think that is most often where women will lose out.

Jon Fraenkel: Similar issues came up from Solomons and the extent of money politics – do you fight a clean campaign or do you get into campaign that causes difficulty? A lot of the women don’t want to get involved in the same way. Once a critical mass of women get into parliament they can change the way things are done.

Hon Vaaiga Tukuitonga: When we had our first legislative assembly in 1965 they had three women members elected. Women’s organisations have been set up since 1960 and in the many years since then we can see we made an impact in the beginning but we haven’t progressed very much over time.

In all the Pacific countries where there are councils of women we need to strengthen and raise the awareness of the place of women in politics in relation to councils of women at the local level. Even though some interest had been raised its still not enough to help the women to think about supporting other women. I think traditionally they are still very much in supporting the men folk because that is what they are used to.

Hon. Nanaia Mahuta: I would like to question our awareness of invisible networks. The Pacific Way is a way that draws on our strengths and that is our families. There are only two women Maori MPs that represent the Maori electorates and that we are quite reliant on the community leaders most of which are women. Have we really assessed the strength of that network in securing representation in parliament? Have we got an idea of how other women in the Pacific in harnessing that power. A comment that I would like to make is that do we have an idea of how far we want to challenging things whether it is gender or religious based because that is what we have to do.

Hon. Dame Carol: I agree with this last point and that the key to cracking the future is recognising the role of the NGOs. Competition for the donor dollar can also divide the women’s representation in that we have some excellent women’s groups but no women’s movement.

Hon. Lepolo Taunisila: I want to ask women in parliament what have they done in the past to discourage people from voting for them? That they might not have done anything to influence the government to change things for them? That may be why more women have not voted for women because they have not done enough to change things. I’m doubting now whether we really have any more women models in the Pacific to really encourage women into parliament.

comments from opening

2006-04-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

Comments from opening of PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS

Nga Teao: Open prayer: We the people of the Cook Islands are very thankful for your mercy and your kindness that you have brought our brothers and sisters from around the region and commit this conference into your hands.

Hon. Mau Munukoa, Minister of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands: I am sad to say that the women’s representation in the Cook Islands has been far and few between and it is the same around the world. To quote from the bible, the size of women in parliament might be small like mustard seeds but I am sure that with faith in God we will move mountains.

Mrs Francesca Semoso, Deputy Speaker, Member of Parliament, Bougainville: I may be a new member but not going to give the men a chance!

Hon: Vaine Wichman, Member of Parliament, Opposition: I am your member because most of you are staying in my constituency!

Senator Hon. Litia Cakobau: To improve our status of women not only in parliament but also other areas.

Maire Bopp Dupont, standing in for minister from French Polynesia: One of the women who is an inspiration for women standing up is Beatrice Vernaudon. She has participated in a process that most women have not in that now Tahiti has 50% representation but that was basically given to us and that we did not have to fight for (like she did).

Kiribati: Member of Parliament Mrs Beta Tewareka Tentoa: I am one of two members of Parliament who are MPs. The more we do this kind of thing the more we will achieve.

Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Customs & Youth Affairs , Associate Minister for the Environment & Local Government, Aotearoa, New Zealand: Five women in cabinet one of which is myself. Sincere hope to see increase in women parliament especially Maori and Pacific Islands women.

Hon Dame Carol, Minister for Community Development, Papua New Guinea: I am minister of Community Affairs - representing a range of important concerns.

Hon. Lepolo Taunisila, Member of Parliament: only one women MP, the fourth since 1951. My first attempt was in a by election and the main reason I decided to go into politics was that I was really annoyed at the attitude of male parliamentarians. I used to be a teacher and decided that enough is enough there needs to be a women in parliament and that even though the majority of women don’t believe there should be women in parliament there should be women included to make decisions for women.

Hon Isabelle Donald, State Minister, Ministry of CRP & Women’s Affairs: I got into parliament in 2002. We had snap election in 2004 and got in second time. Here minister for women. 52 members of parliament and only two. Only woman minister in cabinet with 13 ministers. You can imagine that at this meeting I am here to learn from the experiences of every one of us.

Carol Flore-Smereczniak, Pacific Regional Millennium Development Goals Specialist: I hope to get a clearer idea of the inequalities facing women because only when we have a clearer idea can we then do something about them.

Minister Teina Bishop, Cook Islands: I’m overwhelmed by the force of all the women here from around the Pacific.

Secretary Internal Affairs Rairi Rairi: I am only here for the morning tea and the cocktails afterwards. I am also a keen supporter for women in politics have already campaigned for two to get into parliament and a staunch supporter of Aunty Mau.

opening women in politics workshop

2006-04-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

electoral reform workshop focus

2006-04-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Electoral reform focus of politics workshop

Women may make up half the population of countries around the world but, in the Pacific, they only hold 12 per cent of the seats in parliament.

This is even less than the global average of 16 per cent.

Nearly 100 delegates from around the region begin meeting from tomorrow morning to discuss ways of getting more Pacific women into national parliaments.

A range of regional experts and women politicians will present reports on women in politics over the next three days.

Tomorrow’s workshop is a continuation of work begun in 2000 by UNIFEM when they set up the Women in Politics Pacific Centre.

UNIFEM officials say they are expanding their activities from assisting women with political techniques to promoting discussion about reform of political systems.

The workshop is being held Wednesday 19th to Thursday 21st April 2006 at the Edgewater Resort in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

Supporting organisations include the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Secretariat for the Pacific Community, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the United Nations Development Fund.

> Nordic countries like Norway and Sweden have some of the planet’s oldest constitutions and lead the world in political gender balance with women representatives holding an average of 40 per cent of parliamentary seats.

women in politics agenda | rarotonga 2006

2006-04-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Facilitators for Workshop Day 1- Samantha Hung, Gender Issues Adviser, PIFS
Linda Petersen, Women’s Development Adviser, SPC

8:15-8:45am Registration

9:00am OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
Prayer
Welcome by Hon Ngamau Munokoa, Minister of Internal Affairs & Social Services
Cook Islands

9:30am Introduction of Participants, Objectives & Overview of Workshop
Official Photograph

10:00am Morning Tea

10:30am Background on Regional and International Gender Commitments as they relate to Women’s Representation in Parliaments
Samantha Hung, PIFS

10:40am Examining Millenium Development Goal 3
Carol Flore -Smereczniak , UNDP Pacific Sub-Regional Centre

10:50am Global Trends and Challenges in Women’s Political Representation
Julie Ballington, Programme Officer, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Geneva

11:10am Trends and current status of Women’s Political Representation in the Pacific
Region, Dr. Jon Fraenkel, PIAS-DG, USP

11:30am Plenary discussion: Questions & Answers.
The benefits of women’s parliamentary representation and opportunity costs of non-representation

12:15pm Background on Women and Politics Initiatives at Regional Level
Linda Petersen, Women’s Development Adviser, SPC PWB

12:30pm Lunch

1:30pm Women in Politics and the role of the media
A Cook Islands Case Study - panel discussion

2:10pm Plenary: response to presentations & media panel: Questions & Answers

2:40pm Outline of background, objectives, coverage and methodology of PIFS/UNIFEM commissioned research on gender barriers to women’s political participation , Dr. Elise Huffer, PIAS-DG, USP

3:00pm Afternoon Tea

3:30 pm Overview presentation on electoral systems in the region and patterns of women’s political representation, Dr. Jon Fraenkel, PIAS-DG, USP

4:00pm Plenary: Questions & Answers

4:30pm Summary presentation of UNIFEM-funded Fiji country research
Suliana Siwatibau, Consultant

4:50pm Plenary: Questions and Answers
Appointment of Workshop Outcomes Drafting Commitee

5:30 pm Workshop adjourned

6:30-7:30pm Welcome cocktails

Facilitators for Workshop Day 2 – Dr. Elise Huffer & Fakavae Taomia, Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance, USP

8:30am Housekeeping
Prayer

8:45am Summary and Recap of Workshop Day 1

9:00am Summary presentation of Tonga country research
Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil, Consultant

9 :20am Plenary - Questions & Answers

9 :40am Summary presentation of Tuvalu country research
Susie Kofe, Consultant

10:00am Morning Tea

10:30am Plenary: Questions & Answers

10:50am Summary presentation of Nauru country research
Alamanda Lauti, Consultant
11:10am Questions & Answers

11:30am Plenary: Sharing of national experiences and responses to presentations
Country delegates are requested to come prepared to talk for 5-10 minutes about their national experience with this issue
Plenary: responses to country experiences; Questions & Answers

12:30pm Lunch

1:30pm Comparative country presentation – the experience of PNG
Dr Orovu Sepoe, University of PNG

2:00pm Plenary: Questions & Answers

2:20pm Comparative country presentation – the experience of the French Territory Parity Law, Mrs Béatrice Vernaudon, French Polynesia Representative to French Parliament

2:40pm Plenary: Questions & Answers

3:00pm Afternoon Tea

3:30pm Youth Female Parliamentarians
Francesca Semoso, Deputy Speaker, Bougainville, PNG
Sisi Vaipulu, Prime Minister of Youth Parliament, Tonga
Panel Discussion

4:00pm Plenary: Questions & Answers: Responses to Panel Discussion

4:30pm Presentation of regional comparative analysis and research recommendations, PIAS-DG

5:00pm Plenary: response to research recommendations

5:30pm Workshop Adjourned

Evening Dinner reception hosted by Cook Islands Government

Facilitators for Workshop Day 3: Samantha Hung, Gender Issues Adviser, PIFS
Linda Petersen, Women’s Development Adviser, SPC

8:30am Housekeeping
Prayer

8:45am Summary and Recap of Workshop Day 2

9:00am Presentation of draft outcomes statement
Drafting Committee

9:30am Negotiation of outcomes statement

10:00am Morning Tea

10:30am Group discussion: Where to from here?
Strategies to effectively implement outcomes recommendations
& participant follow-up at national level

11:15am Group report back

11:45am Adoption of Workshop Outcomes Statement (to be presented to Forum Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference (FPOCC))

12:00pm OFFICIAL CLOSING
Remarks from Cook Islands Government Representative

PWB | SPC Communications

2006-03-14T04:17:00.000-08:00

Simplifying PWB communication systems – and providing a leadership model for a greater presence on the web for the Pacific Islands.

Technical framework
Proposal
Outputs
Draft work plan
Strategic advantage
Issues
Shorter information flows
Organisational advantages
Information background
Blog background
How do blogs compare to email?
SPC’s website: Growing and updating
Pacific Islands on the internet
Vision

Existing examples:

SPC Genetic Plant Resouces blog
AFAP APCEDI disaster alert blog

Introduction

2006-03-14T03:50:00.000-08:00

Pacific Womens Bureau is currently hosting a media internship with terms of reference to write content for Women Today magazine, including IWD 2006, and, update PWB information processes from a media perspective.

Central to these information processes is the SPC website. Several issues arise from a casual review of the site.

These issues should be seen in the context of feedback rather than faults and as part of a constant growth and improvement policy set down for the website since it was established in 1997.

summary

2006-03-14T03:45:00.000-08:00

Information processes within SPC could be simplified for both staff and end users relatively quickly and simply.

SPC staff could be updating their own web pages with the click of a button in Word or by sending an email, using weblog technologies. Information outputs would have a more uniform appearance, natural language links, and be preserved forever in easy to understand date-based formats that can be endlessly repackaged inside and outside SPC.

In doing so, SPC can assume a leadership role in lowering barriers to web presence by member countries, especially civil society.

Technical framework

2006-03-14T03:38:00.001-08:00

Blog-based publishing methods do not replace the corporate website structure.

Instead, blogging software plugs into the corporate website.

Instead of digging html ditches, IT staff can spend more time fine-tuning the look and linkages of CSS-based pages like these ones.

outputs

2006-03-14T03:38:00.000-08:00

> free, easy to update news pages
> pilot project that can be copy and pasted inside SPC and out
> SPC leadership role for Pacific Islands

how do blogs compare to email?

2006-03-14T03:37:00.000-08:00

Blogging is content neutral. It is really only clever software to get content online quickly and cheaply.

Think of email. Users can choose free or paid email services. Similarly, there is a huge range of weblog services for website owners to choose from. Where do blogs fit in? Important to remember: blogs do not replace normalwebsites. Instead, weblogs can be plugged into websites like a video camera into a television. Its still television. Just from a different source. How do blogs actually work? SPC staffcan update blog-based pages by sending an email. They can use a simple online interface and input content directly.

Or, in the case of the Google-owned blog service recommended here, editors can install software for Word and start publishing at the click of one button.

vision

2006-03-14T03:34:00.000-08:00

One day nearly all public communications will actually and automatically become public.

Steps towards this vision were first taken centuries ago with private communications forming part of public record in official courts and inquiries including, for example, laffaire Dreyfus in 1894. Informally, the news media fills the grey area between law and truth with exposes based on previously top-secret reports and letters. Communications continue to evolve. Email accelerates this process. Public bodies will eventually release all but the most sensitive communications instantly, instead of only the least sensitive information days, weeks or even months later. Release will most likely take place after a brief period, perhaps two weeks, maybe a month, or in quarterly or annual e-bulletins. This will not be the realisation of a utopian ideal. Instead, near total information freedom will result from increasing economic efficiencies.

Freedom of Information will be seen as an instant human right, not an elite privilege to be granted only after official contemplation. Countries like Norway and Sweden have already achieved this ideal.

SPC website: growing and updating

2006-03-14T03:32:00.000-08:00

Growth can get caught up in honest dispute over which process is right and which one is wrong.

Most of the time, however, both process are right. In this case, SPC needs a stylish, corporate web presence, as well as simple ways to get information published to the web, quickly.

SPC has the first capacity. Now staff need access to the second.

Introduction

2006-03-14T03:22:00.000-08:00

draft work plan

2006-03-14T03:20:00.000-08:00

If approved the work plan could include

> set up of blog (completed)
> introductory briefing for staff
> installation of software for Word in PWB and editors
> demonstration of blogging update
> discussion with IT
> creation of blog news directory under PWB site
> creation of index file in blog news directory
> reset blog to upload to PWB site
> all media releases to be sent through news page
> update email to go to corporate communications section

Technical framework

2006-03-14T03:18:00.000-08:00

proposal

2006-03-14T03:15:00.001-08:00

That SPC pilot an information-first project through the Pacific Womens Bureau over the next week to test simple information software.

Otherwise known as blogging. The blog pilot will demonstrate a way for SPC to streamline its web-based communications.

Stakeholders include PWB, publications, IT and Corporate. The media intern points to the AFAP-FSPI service APCEDI as the regions leadership example of blog integration with a corporate website.

outputs

2006-03-14T03:15:00.000-08:00

> free, easy to update news pages
> pilot project that can be copy and pasted inside SPC and out
> SPC leadership role for Pacific Islands

Strategic advantage

2006-03-14T03:13:00.000-08:00

Currently, the Pacific Islands lack facilitators who seek strategic advantage in creating cyber presence for the region as a whole.

Such advantages can first be sought within SPC, applying blogging technologies to existing websites either as news pages or any other section requiring regular updating. As blogging technologies are adopted, SPC is in a leadership position to encourage others to use similar software. Across the Pacific, hundreds if not thousands of volunteer and for-profit organisations are delayed from web presence by perceptions of high cost.

Free blogging and related technologies present a strategic opportunity for regional, national and community-based organisations to evolve web presence without heavy investment of training and capital.

issues

2006-03-14T03:12:00.000-08:00

Like most other organisations, SPC has built up ad hoc information processes based on evolving technology resources and changing executive priorities.

Some of these historic processes may delay information release. For example, a link from the SPC front page to its news section is headlined September 2005 nearly seven months ago. One section features text a little too darkto be readily readable. Other sections appear to be in a technicalformat not consistent with rest of the SPC website. A link on the bureau page leads to a hidden forum, even from an internal SPC-based computer.

One impression is that SPCs website appears built to technology and corporate priorities, rather than those of information.

shorter information flows

2006-03-14T03:11:00.000-08:00

SPC information performs a series of loops before being released to the public. Current information flow can summarised as follows:

> source > writer > source > writer > editor > writer > translator > writer > IT / corporate > writer > IT > web

Instead, the media intern proposes the following information flow:

> source > writer > source > editor > weblog

Once published in its news section, the Pacific Womens Bureau can then develop online content further by working with IT to produce corporate front pages that link to news content.

organisational advantages

2006-03-14T03:10:00.000-08:00

Currently, there is no one place where end-users may access all news about the SPC. End users must instead search SPC division-by-division.

If the pilot proves successful, other divisions may copy the PWB pilot, providing multiple news streams for an all-divisions SPC news page, while still retaining their own corporate identity. Again, once on news pages, divisions can work with IT to produce corporate front pages. In fact, anyone can set up a blog and have their first web page online within minutes. Its an easy way to share text, photos, even video, for free.

There is no shortage of information in SPC. There are some 38,000 references to the word publications on the SPC site alone. Blog-based software allows for a more unified approach to presenting that information to the public.

information background

2006-03-14T03:09:00.000-08:00

In the past, most of SPCs interaction has been with member states, not the public.

If an official in Samoa wanted SPC assistance on fisheries, the info could be sent directly by fax, for example, quicklyand efficiently. Now email allows even greater speed and efficiency. Public information has remained a second or third level priority. Each section worked out its own information processes, leading to wide variation in content and style.

Increasing interaction with NGOs and other community-based initiatives provide an information opportunity for SPC to provide leadership by adapting free web publishing technologies known as blogs.

blog background

2006-03-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

Over the last 24months, new software based on web logging has moved from the cutting edge to mainstream.

Logging the web started as a way of listing internet news pages, using the same technologies as any other web page. A timeline shows firstweb logs were simple lists of interesting headlines. The gap between the two words web and log faded away and the word weblog shortened further to blog with bloggersadding comments to their headline lists. Blogging got more popular, and new software was developed to make it faster, simpler and cheaper. The word itself became a verb.

Today, mainstream organisations like the United Nations support blogging.

how do blogs compare to email?

2006-03-14T02:49:00.000-08:00

SPC website: growing and updating

2006-03-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

Pacific Islands on the internet

2006-03-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

For our region, Google returns 245 million hits for the Asia Pacific but just 24 million for Pacific Islands, including pages with Asia on it.

By comparison, Australia appears on 1.5 billion web pages while New Zealand returns 674 million Google hits. Moving outside the region, the word America returns 2.74 billion and Europe 1.97 billion. For Africa, there are 1.3 billion web pages and the Middle East 579 million pages. To really zero in, there are just 14.5 millionweb pages featuring the words Pacific Islands alone without Asia. In other words, in a global market of more than 11 billion webpages, the Pacific Islands makes up just over one tenth of one per cent kind of like a fingernail sized piece of bread from a whole loaf.

Obviously, Pacific Islands cannot dream of ever catching up with the web footprints of more advanced, populous regions. What Pacific Islands can do is to leapfrog culturally over other countries, producing pages high in quality - authentic - text and images.

vision

2006-03-14T02:45:00.000-08:00

Vision

One day nearly all public communications will actually and automatically become public.

Steps towards this vision were first taken centuries ago with private communications forming part of public record in official courts and inquiries including, for example, laffaire Dreyfus in 1894. Informally, the news media fills the grey area between law and truth with exposes based on previously top-secret reports and letters. Communications continue to evolve. Email accelerates this process. Public bodies will eventually release all but the most sensitive communications instantly, instead of only the least sensitive information days, weeks or even months later. Release will most likely take place after a brief period, perhaps two weeks, maybe a month, or in quarterly or annual e-bulletins. This will not be the realisation of a utopian ideal. Instead, near total information freedom will result from increasing economic efficiencies.

Freedom of Information will be seen as an instant human right, not an elite privilege to be granted only after official contemplation. Countries like Norway and Sweden have already achieved this ideal.

English and French wbloggar

2006-03-14T02:10:00.000-08:00

Another popular choice for updating blogs is free too!wbloggar - a standalone programme.

Vous pouvez accéder à une version française de langue ici.

IWD 2006 media | FIJI

2006-03-09T20:57:00.000-08:00

The fairer sex claims reclaim the night
Thursday, March 09, 2006

ABOUT 500 men and women marched the streets of Suva last night to mark International Women's Day.

The annual 'Reclaim the Night' march was organised by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, in a bid for safer streets and safer homes for women and girls.

"It is a symbolic statement that the streets and night also belong to us. For many women, the fear of walking on the street, being alone at home is real," said the co-ordinator of FWCC, Shamima Ali.

"This is our call of solidarity to them and it is a call to the authorities to ensure that women and children feel safer in streets, homes and through the night and day in this country," said Ms Ali.

She said from January to June 2004 and 2005, there was a substantial increase in reported cases of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and other sexual offences.

She said according to police statistics, rape and attempted rape increased by 70 per cent, indecent assault by 58 per cent and defilement of girls' between 13 and 16 increased by 85 per cent.

"While, this could be a good indication that victims are confident about reporting, we are also aware that the degree of physical violence associated with the crimes have also increased and the feeling of safety for women declining," Ms Ali said.

The march started at the Flea Market through Cumming Street, Waimanu Road and Mark Street and ended at the Government Buildings.

IWD 2006 media | SOLOMONS

2006-03-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

Solomon women want consultation over development
Posted at 01:40 on 09 March, 2006 UTC
Radio New Zealand International

The National Council of Women in Solomon Islands says a lack of consultation over developments is a major election issue for women.

The council’s president Hilda Kari says she welcomes women standing for next month’s election to raise women’s issues.

She says many women are concerned about an increasing number of big developments in the provinces that are given the go-ahead without proper consultation.

Hilda Kari says villages suffer dramatic side-effects to everyday life and benefits of the development often doesn’t go to them.

IWD 2006 media | PNG

2006-03-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

Proposal on gender post set for Cabinet
The National, PNG

A SUBMISSION will be made to the National Executive Council for the creation of a position called gender advisor to assist in any legislative matters.
This move is aimed at pushing gender equality and to see PNG women have greater participation in decision making, says Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu.
Speaking at the International Women’s day Celebration organised by the National Council of Women yesterday, she said it was hoped that this position will come directly under the Prime Minister’s Department.
Dame Carol said the move also coincided with this year’s theme as women world over called for greater involvement of women in decision making.
But she told the women leaders not to view “decision-making” as only at the political level but also at the statutory levels, churches, small non-governmental organisations and at their own communities.
She called on women to think of it as a move that would contribute to the economic sphere as a whole in the long run and not just in politics generally.
She said the issue of gender equality must be seen as part of the human rights issue.
However, she pointed out that one of the major obstacle that has prevented women from achieving goals and visions, was the lack of financial support.
Thus Dame Carol, in her efforts to help the adverse trend, is preparing to launch a fund that will be known as WINGS – Women in National Government or Statutory bodies – later this month.
The aim of this to raise funds to support and promote women issues and collaborate women as part of the strategies for a political voice.

IWD 2006 media | VANUATU

2006-03-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

International Women's Day Vanuatu essay competition
The Daily Post
Wednesday, March 8, 2006

To celebrate International Women's Day 2006 on 8 March, the Australian High Commission is running an essay competition for secondary school students entitled Sistas blong Turisim (Women in Tourism).

We would like you to tell us a story of a woman in tourism in Vanuatu. It might be a story of someone you know, someone you have read or heard about who is involved in tourism. You might even like to make up a story talking about a woman in tourism in Vanuatu.

2006 has been declared an extension of Vanuatu's Year of Tourism so the Australian High Commission is interested to hear about how women are involved in the tourism industry, thereby helping the development of Vanuatu.

There will be two sections: junior secondary school and senior secondary school. Please indicate clearly on your entry your school name and the year you are in, or your age. All essays should be two A4 pages or less.

Entries open now and the closing date is Wednesday 8 March. All essays need to be sent or dropped off to the Australian High Commission by 4.15 pm on 8 March (International Women's Day Essay Competition, PO Box 111, Port Vila).

Essays can be in any of the three national languages of Vanuatu and may be neatly handwritten or typed.

Winners will be judged by a panel of women and will receive monetary prizes and have their essays published in the newspapers.

Australian High Commission
PO Box 111, Port Vila
Ph 22 777

IWD 2006 media | PNG

2006-03-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

Media urged to report positive stories
The National, PNG

THE media in the country has been urged to promote and encourage more positive coverage on women.
National Council of Women president Scholla Kakas issued the challenge yesterday during her opening remarks at the International Women’s Day celebration at Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.
Ms Kakas called on the media to stop portraying women as victims all the time but as achievers who contribute to the well-being of this nation.
She said there should be more positive coverage that talked about the achievements, aspiration and success of women at all levels of society.
She said it was unfortunate that most crimes committed were against women and children, adding that all these contributed to the declining status of women in the society.
Ms Kakas said women were denied an active role in decision making, and added that it was also unfortunate that Government funding also overlooked women.
She also urged women to educate and encourage men to promote and protect the rights of women.
The National Council of women is planning a protest march against rape, violence and discrimination against Women and Children on National Women’s Day on March 25.

IWD 2006 media | PNG

2006-03-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

More calls for women in decision-making
The National, PNG

THERE were renewed calls for greater involvement of women in decision-making at all levels of society as women joined the celebrations for International Women’s Day yesterday.
UNFPA executive director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid made the call to the heads of Government, the United Nations and down to the basic unit of society, the family, and in matters related to their own lives.
Ms Obaid said research showed that while much progress was made, millions of women were still denied the opportunity to make even the most basic decisions about marriage and childbearing.
At last September’s World Summit, leaders agreed to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015 as critical for the attainment of gender equality and other Millennium Development Goals to improve maternal health, reduce child mortality and poverty and combat HIV/AIDS.
Ms Obaid said gender equality should be inscribed into national law and translated into investments in national budgets.
She said UNFPA was committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health, women’s empowerment, male involvement and responsibility, and gender equality.

IWD 2006 media | AOTEAROA

2006-03-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

Slow and not so sure progress to equality

08.03.06
By Julie Middleton
New Zealand Herald

New Zealand women have made gains in equality over the past four years but that is no reason for complacency, say women's groups.

They also warn that the high profile of powerful women such as Prime Minister Helen Clark and Chief Justice Sian Elias can create the erroneous perception that equality has been achieved.

The assessment comes on International Women's Day as the Ministry of Women's Affairs and a group of voluntary organisations co-ordinated by the National Council of Women complete their four-yearly reports to the United Nations on how the country is doing against the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. New Zealand accepted it as a guideline for action in 1985.

"We cannot say that we've done it all right and there are no things left to be done," says MWA acting chief executive Carolyn Risk, whose ministry's report relies on Government statistics.

She notes improvements in pay equality, fairer relationship property laws, improvements to childcare and the arrival of paid parental leave, a benefit she would like extended to the self-employed.

But problems persist, and Ms Risk has concerns about slow progress in combating domestic violence and growing disparities between groups of women.

The MWA supports the alternative report, which notes that women's representation in central and local government and on public boards has increased.

But NCW president Christine Low says the attention paid to women in power can obscure the fact that equality has not been achieved.

"People see them in high positions and think gains have been made - but they are not necessarily going to be replaced by another woman."

The burden of student loans on women, the "glass ceiling" and the expectation that women carry domestic and childcare loads remain barriers to genuine equality.

IWD 2006 media | NEW CALEDONIA

2006-03-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

Une journée au féminin pluriel
Les Nouvelles

Les institutions calédoniennes et la mairie de Nouméa ont voulu rendre hommage aux femmes, hier, chacune à leur manière. Coutume, rencontres, débats, théâtre et concert ont jalonné cette journée particulière.

Elles étaient un millier au bas mot, la plupart en robe mission, aux aurores devant le centre Tjibaou. Un millier de femmes venues des trois provinces et connues pour être actives tout au long de l’année dans des associations ou des collectivités publiques. Arrivées par petits groupes, elles ont donné à l’endroit une touche de couleur lorsqu’elles se sont rassemblées devant l’entrée.
A 8 heures, au moment d’ouvrir officiellement la Journée de la femme, elles ont d’abord chanté leur joie d’être là. Des airs de Lifou, du Nord ou de l’île des Pins. Puis elles ont procédé à la coutume avec les autorités locales. Sonia Lagarde, élue du Sud, Valentine Eurisouké, du Nord, et Yvonne Hnada, pour les Îles, ont parlé avec émotion de ce qu’elles attendaient de cette douzaine d’heures passées ensemble : un pas, si petit soit-il, vers une meilleure place pour les femmes dans la société calédonienne.

« On a appris des choses »

Pour essayer de le franchir, elles ont formé un Conseil des femmes de Nouvelle-Calédonie, qui devra encore définir ses objectifs et ses moyens d’action. Elles ont surtout travaillé en atelier sur la culture et la formation professionnelle, particulièrement en zone rurale.
Un exercice long, laborieux parfois - quatre heures d’interventions - mais riche en informations, notamment sur la manière de frapper aux bonnes portes.
Au bout du compte, expliquent quatre membres de l’association Kunié de l’Île des Pins, « on a appris des choses sur le droit des femmes, qu’on va rapporter à nos jeunes ». Voilà peut-être le petit pas espéré. « Ça avance doucement, confirme Danielle Guaenere, élue des Iles assignée à l’enseignement professionnel, alors que les allocutions s’enchaînent au micro. Ce qui est dommage, c’est de devoir passer par des lois pour faire évoluer les mentalités. »

Le côté festif

À l’autre bout de la ville, la mairie organisait d’autres ateliers, basés eux sur « la transmission des valeurs » par les femmes. « Une vision que certains jugeront peut-être rétrograde, mais qui ne l’est pas », a estimé Anne-Marie Mestre, présidente de l’association SOS Violences sexuelles.
Le rôle des femmes a été abordé dans les milieux familial, artistique, sportif et professionnel. Plusieurs adjoints et des intervenants extérieurs ont exposé ces valeurs aux femmes présentes dans la grande salle de l’hôtel de ville. Mais la municipalité a privilégié le côté culturel et festif, avec une séance de cinéma gratuite le matin, une pièce de théâtre de l’Acapa au Centre d’art et un concert en fin d’après-midi au kiosque, place des Cocotiers.

Reportage : Marc Baltzer - photos Ixoee Kakea

Les femmes ont afflué du nord au sud du territoire pour s’informer et travailler ensemble. Au programme : la culture et la formation professionnelle. Au moment de la coutume qui a précédé les réunions, les discours étaient chargés d’émotion.

Chez les « mamans » de Montravel
Dans la cité Pierre-Lenquette, une vingtaine
de mères de famille du quartier ont célébré
à leur manière la Journée de la femme. Faute
de pouvoir se rendre aux manifestations officielles, comme elles le faisaient les années précédentes, elles se sont réunies sous le faré des immeubles A et B, autour d’un peu de musique. Les belles robes et les couronnes de flamboyants étaient de sortie, histoire de s’offrir aussi une bulle d’oxygène.
D’habitude, quand elles se rencontrent, c’est
pour discuter des enfants, de la rentrée ou
des moyens d’unir leurs projets et leurs moyens. Cette fête -une première à Montravel- témoigne « d’un esprit de solidarité qui dure toute l’année, explique Louise Guyette, présidente. On a une jeunesse au plancher, nous sommes dans un quartier populaire, alors on se regroupe et on partage ce que l’on a. »

Le programme d’aujourd’hui

Le Jeudi du centre-ville se déclinera au féminin à partir de 17 heures sur la place des Cocotiers.
Il y aura des stands de bijoux, d’artisanat (broderies, poteries...) et de produits de beauté (parfum, maquillage, savons).
Plusieurs groupes joueront au Kiosque, comme Four of While, Matakiterangi, pour les danses de l’Ile de Pâques, Manuréva pour les danses tahitiennes
et Jamila pour les danses orientales.

IWD 2006 media watch | PNG

2006-03-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

Women join forces to fight rise in rape incidents
Thursday 9th March 2006
The National, Papua New Guinea

WOMEN’S groups have formed an alliance in response to the current high number of reported incidents of rape on young children and women, to formulate a more focused and appropriate approach to address this issue.
The group comprised non-government organisations such as the Soroptimist International, business and professional women, women’s fellowship, YWCA, ICRAF and the National Council of Women.
During their first meeting yesterday, Minister for Community Development Dame Carol Kidu encouraged the women to work collectively if they wanted their actions to be noticed at the highest level.
“More than ever, now, the group must look at the positive side of the situation and continue to encourage women and children to report these abuses to the authorities,” Dame Carol said.
She added that many years of advocacy and awareness work done by many of these dedicated organisations were seen to be getting through to the victims and witnesses, resulting in more reporting of the cases to the authorities.
“Another positive sign is the Amendment to the Criminal Code on Sexual offences and Evidences Act 2003, which, she said was slowly but surely being implemented,” she said.
The coalition group of women’s organisations believes that it was vital that a momentum of its progress was maintained with a yearly calendar of events being drawn up to continue the advocacy work.

Pacific media get IWD nod

2006-03-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

Lowly News Status Is a Global Insult:
"Only 10 percent of all stories in the global spot check were focused specifically on women. News about gender inequality represented 4 percent of stories.
Mainstream media have taken some note of the report. Articles and interviews thus far have been moved by the BBC World Service, The Guardian and its sister newspaper, The Observer (United Kingdom), The Hindustan Times (India), Inter Press Service (Belgium), The Fiji Times and Pacific Magazine (Hawaii). The organizers say they also expect coverage in Time magazine and South Africa's Sunday Independent, among others. One, of course, is Women's eNews. "

Image show daily struggle

2006-03-08T23:01:00.000-08:00

Thursday, March 09, 2006
TWENTY-six images symbolising women were displayed in Suva yesterday as part of International Women's Day celebrations.
Organised by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, the innovative photography used 26 young girls to explore the day's theme — Women in decision-making: Meeting challenges, creating change.
Participants from different backgrounds took pictures.
The best image was enlarged, framed and launched by Ministry of Women chief executive Emele Duituturaga.
A picture by Salanieta Seruitamana was of a woman sitting with two cups begging on the street.
'The image caught my eyes because it shows the daily challenges women face. The woman in the picture has no other choice,' said the 23-year-old.
Luisa Nasau, 31, captured the image of a woman sewing clothes in a small room.
'The woman in the picture is a widow and sole breadwinner and sews to send her children to school."
Fiji Times Online

Feminists to be remembered

2006-03-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, March 07, 2006
INTERNATIONAL Women's Day is a time to remember feminists or women's rights defenders who pioneered work on women's rights and look at lessons learned since then.
This year International Women's Day would be celebrated on Wednesday March 8 with the theme 'women and men are created equal'.
The coordinator of the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Shamima Ali said it was the day women celebrated their hard fought gains and took stock of the struggle ahead of them.
Ms Ali said often themes for such days were just high-flying words, which meant nothing and in fact diluted the real significance of the day.
'International Women's Day is about women's activism for women's human rights and for the FWCC this is always the theme,' she said.
She said International Women's Day had its beginnings in the women's struggle for better working conditions.
'That was in 1857 and the cry was for bread and roses-while we want food (bread), we also want a life of dignity and good things (roses).
'Locally what has changed? Our factory workers in Fiji are still crying out for everything women from the west cried for two centuries ago.
'So our struggle is far from over. Women activists have to continue the activism and International Women's Day should be a day when we once again unite and commit ourselves to a better world for women,' said Ms Ali.
She said the Centre did not believe that speeches and a once a year event would achieve the objective.
'For the FWCC, we will continue our STOP RAPE campaign by distributing community awareness materials and holding the traditional Reclaim the Night march,' Ms Ali said.
Meanwhile, the International Labour Organisation would celebrate the day with a range of guest spea"

Women mark special day

2006-03-08T22:51:00.000-08:00

TODAY is International Women's Day.
Several activities, including a Pretty Pink Peace Award and a Reclaim the Night march, have been organised.
International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women and promotes their freedom and social and economic equality. This year's theme is Women in Decision-Making: Meeting Challenges, Creating Change.
The Pretty Pink Peace Awards, which is organised by Women's Action for Change, will pay tribute to 30 diverse women and men who are identified as notable peace builders in Fiji. Organiser Noelene Nabulivou said the first award was given to the Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi last week at the poetry contest organised by the group.
The remaining awards would be distributed throughout the day to those who work in areas such as violence against women and building peace in the country. The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre has organised its annual Reclaim the Night March, which will begin at 7pm from the Suva Flea Market.
Other programs include FemLINKPACIFIC's special broadcast on their community radio station and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement exhibition of photographs taken by young women who explored the theme through their own eyes.
The Women's Ministry and the International Labour Organisation have organised panel discussions on the theme at various locations.
FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali said there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of violence against women.
'While, this could be an indication that victims are confident about reporting, we are also aware that the degrees of physical violence associated with these crimes have also increased and the feeling of safety for women is actually declining', Ms Ali said. "

Glass ceiling persists worldwide

2006-03-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

GENEVA -- Women represent more than 40 percent of the global work force yet hold less than 3 percent of top executive jobs due to the 'glass ceiling,' the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said today.
In a study issued to mark International Women's Day, the United Nations labour agency also said woman only account for 1 percent of trade union leaders, although 40 percent of trade union members worldwide are female. The pay gap remains one of the most persistent forms of gender inequality, according to the ILO study.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business

Women not on equal terms - Fiji Times Online

2006-03-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday, March 09, 2006
Women and their families march to ‘reclaim the night’ in Suva yesterday.FIJI did not achieve 50 per cent women representation in government boards, committees, councils, tribunals and commissions by 2005 as reflected in the national plan of action.
Speaking at the launch of International Women's Day in Suva yesterday, Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Adi Asenaca Caucau said women were in the lower level of decision making in the public and private sector.
'Though women have made significant progress in improving educational qualifications and getting vocational training, they still are at lower level positions,' Adi Asenaca said.
She said women comprised only 22.8 per cent of government boards and committees.
'They make up 46 per cent employed in the public service. Of that, 14 per cent are at senior executive level, 13 per cent at deputy secretary level and only 8 per cent (3 out of 23) are chief executives.'
She said women were vastly under-represented in most decision-making levels of the Government and other statutory bodies despite its continued emphasis to promote women's participation.
'Creating a positive environment for women's input in decision making, running gender sensitive programs and gender-based training are essential to addressing gender inequality.'
She said programs such as Women in Politics, initiated by the UN Development Funds for Women, was a good start in raising awareness for women in politics and decision-making.
'Through the program, women got together to co-ordinate efforts to improve participation in the political process and election."
Women not on equal terms - Fiji Times Online

Agence Tahitienne de Presse - Toute l'actualité concernant Tahiti et le Pacifique

2006-03-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

"Société : 08/03/2006 à 17:28
Situation des femmes en Polynésie: 39% de chômeuses chez les moins de 25 ans

(Tahitipresse) - Les femmes de moins de 25 ans sont 39% à être au chômage en Polynésie, contre 29% des hommes du même âge, indique un document du ministère de la condition féminine, à l'occasion de la journée mondiale de défense des droits des femmes. Une situation jugée 'très inégalitaire'.

Près de 80% des femmes en Polynésie travaillent dans des services d'aides aux particuliers, en tant qu'infirmères ou gardes d'enfant par exemple, selon l'ISPF (Institut statistique de Polynésie française). Ces chiffres correspondent à l'image de 'la femme douce et maternelle' dont les femmes sont souvent prisonnières, ont relevé plusieurs participantes.
Seulement 25% des entreprises en Polynésie sont dirigées par des femmes.
'Les statistiques sur les femmes en Polynésie révèlent, comme partout dans le monde, de réelles inégalités', a déclaré une participante à la sortie du débat sur 'la jeune femme et le monde économique' organisé mercredi, avec d'autres ateliers, dans les jardins de la Présidence de Polynésie.
Le président de la Polynésie, Oscar Temaru, ayant accordé aux femmes de l'administration une 'autorisation d'absence' afin qu'elles puissent se rendre aux débats sans avoir de retenue sur leur salaire, plusieurs centaines de femmes sont passées s'informer sur les stands des associations.
Des stands majoritairement orient.
Agence Tahitienne de Presse - Toute l'actualité concernant Tahiti et le Pacifique

Women Celebrate International Womens Day

2006-03-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Women Celebrate International Womens Day
By fijivillage
Mar 8, 2006, 11:57

Women around the world are celebrating International Women's Day today and the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre said women in Fiji must take a stand to ensure that they have a more prominent role in our society.

Crisis Centre coordinator, Shamima Ali said women in Fiji have come a long way since the colonial times however more needs to be done on the promotion of the roles on women in decision making.

Meanwhile, Ali said the Fiji Women's Crisis Center is organizing its annual 'Reclaim the Night' march and the public is asked to come out in numbers to support the cause.

The march starts at 7pm from the Suva Flea market to Government Buildings.

Qoro urges women to have personal plans - Fiji Times Online

2006-03-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

Qoro urges women to have personal plans - Fiji Times Online:
Thursday, March 09, 2006
WHEN you think of cement production and quarries, the least you would expect is a woman heading the operations. But that is the case in Fiji and the South Pacific (excluding Australia and New Zealand) with the region's only cement factory - Basic Industries.
Sereana Qoro, is the first non-engineer to become the chief executive of the company. An accountant by profession, Mrs Qoro was the recipient of the 2005 Executive Woman of the Year Award. Yesterday, during the International Women's Day breakfast and launch of the Westpac Businesswoman of the Year awards, Mrs Qoro challenged younger women to have personal plans with targets.
The plan, she said, should have a target of where the young woman would like to be over a certain period.
Mrs Qoro said it was important that the woman be good at her job and focussed. But most important of all, she must ensure - if she was a married woman - that her family was not affected. 'Men love to be respected and if you respect them - it's practically done,' Mrs Qoro said.
The former Adi Cakobau School student, Mrs Qoro was the first woman to head the Housing Authority and has also worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Native Land Trust Board and Rewa Dairy.
She is also member of several boards including the Fiji Development Bank.