Download CIR Report - New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women

NZFGW National Executive News
November 2003
P O Box 3057, Wellington, New Zealand.
www.nzfgw.org.nz
National Secretary: Wendy Zemanek [email protected]
A BALANCED SOCIETY
From Rae Duff, National President
There is no doubt that Governments have the biggest influence on whether or not we live in a
‘balanced society’. By balanced I mean a society in which all participants irrespective of their gender,
age or race are treated fairly and equally and have the opportunity to grow and develop.
Government Departments are responsible for administering legislation designed to ensure that
everyone does get a ‘fair go’ across the wide spectrum of daily life. That is, where women receive
equal pay, have the same opportunities as men in the workplace, are recognised for time spent
raising children and caring for the elderly and have the opportunity to make the contribution to
society of which they are capable. It is our job in co-operation with other women’s organisations to
keep these issues at the forefront of our Government’s thinking and in so doing, to help to create a
more balanced society.
As members of the International Federation of University Women and through its consultative status
with the United Nations we are also able to take an active role in international policy-making
decisions that affect all women. Although we have not yet received detailed information on the
NZFGW Perth Conference, I am hopeful that many of the above issues will be raised. Resolutions
approved at triennial conferences add an important dimension to the implementation of the purpose,
programme and mission of IFUW. They form IFUW policy and give direction for lobbying our own
government. I would like to think that our team in Perth will be a strong one and that our voice will be
clearly heard on issues, which are important to New Zealand women and internationally.
Finally, as the festive season comes around, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a
relaxing Christmas break and the love and fellowship of friends and family.
National Executive
We apologise to Rowena Taylor of Manawatu Branch, who was omitted from last month’s list. Rowena is
the Secretary/Treasurer of the Fellowship Trust Board.
National Executive would like to thank the outgoing Southern Region Executive and in particular Michaela
Buckley for producing the current issue of Graduate Women and arranging its distribution.
The NZFGW 26th Triennial Conference 2003 and more…
from Louise Croot, IFUW Vice President
[[email protected]]
The theme Women Information and Power was transformed by the keynote speakers into a wealth of
thought provoking challenges and useful practice. Minister Ruth Dyson’s speech showed the
universality and pertinence of the theme around the world. She wisely cautioned against
complacency and encouraged involvement with the action plan for Women and the Human Rights
Plan in New Zealand.
The Minister emphasised the Work-Life balance issue so crucial for women and men today. Young
members have raised it many times and not just in NZ. The Minister seemed to describe it as the
balance between paid and unpaid work. I felt this was limiting - it should be focused on the rights and
responsibilities men and women have as citizens to participate in their democracy. Pay equity is part
of that.
1
National Executive News Nov 03
IFUW featured on the Conference floor formally and informally. I am very proud of the way New
Zealand members reflect and value their close links with IFUW. The resolutions planned for Perth
were debated fruitfully. The outcomes were supportive and future orientated. The Pacific Graduate
Women’s Net [PGWNet] is a valuable treasure.
The IFUW dues discussion was difficult and the vote was 35 to 29 in favour of the six Swiss Francs
increase planned for. It is not easy when many members are on fixed incomes and others have
commitments for limited funds. The international budget is planned and carefully monitored. A sense
of fairness about the share carried by full payment countries was again highlighted for me.
Questions about how many National Federations and Associations [NFA’s] are receiving Bina Roy
Funds and the large NFA’s sliding scale payments were also raised with me. With 74 NFA’s, support
for projects and the monetary exchange are key issues to take up with the Board in February 2004
prior to the Perth Conference 4-10 August 2004.
Other constitutional resolutions came in for scrutiny and showed delegates had given time and
energy to thinking about the future of IFUW in the 21st century. Remits from Otago about the United
Nations and its power for good were well presented and should be offered to IFUW for the Perth
Conference.
My thanks to Ellen and the Southern Regional National Executive for being available for discussion
and support during your term of office. The Conference programme was well done.
Welcome to the Middle Earth region executive. All strength to you as you lead our focused NGO into
the next three years. I look forward to working with you and building the relationship with IFUW
where NZ will be a key partner in global issues.
Thanks to Dorothy Meyer for being generous in time and effort for IFUW. The ID Seminar
programme looks splendid. I really appreciate having Dorothy to talk with about matters and find it a
real blessing to have IFUW experience in NZ as the Board are all in the northern hemisphere
At present I am working on an outline of possibly two sessions at Perth on The History and Mystery
of IFUW. The idea is to demystify the workings of our organisation and its committees, projects and
UN work, meet some of the people involved and well as relate some of its history. It is to be informal
in life long learning style. If anyone would like to assist, please let me know as there are opportunities
to convene a session.
Look ahead to Perth. Plan to be there 4-10 August 2004.
AGENTS FOR CHANGE IN NZ: WOMEN IN POLITICS AND DECISION-MAKING
From Dorothy Meyer, IFUW Status of Women Committee Member
The Status of Women Committee of IFUW is preparing the programme framework for the next IFUW
Triennium 2004-07. A suggested overall theme is Women: Agents for Change with three core issues
of Education, Diversity and Peace and The Information Society. Permeating these issues is the
recognition of the rich diversity of belief, spirituality, culture and language within societies; the need
to promote human security in all its aspects, and the importance of empowering women to work
together and with men to create a harmonious and peaceful society.
It is fortunate therefore, that through OnlineWomen, we have recently learnt of a Draft Resolution
submitted by the United States to the UN Third Committee. The resolution can be read in full at
www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org. OnlineWomen is a project of the Centre for Asia Pacific Women in
Politics (www.capwig.org), a non-partisan, non-profit and non-governmental regional organisation
dedicated to promoting equal participation of women in politics and decision-making.
In essence the Resolution urges states to:

Promote and protect the right of women to participate in their government at all levels on equal
terms with men;

Eliminate laws, regulations and practices that prevent or restrict women from participating in
the political process;
2
National Executive News Nov 03

Ensure equal access to all the tools that will enable women to take part fully and equally in
decision-making at all levels;

Promote the goal of gender balance in all public positions;

Monitor progress in the representation of women in politics; (This is relevant to NZ where the
proportion of women in politics has dropped.)

Identify, encourage and propose more women for decision-making positions in the UN system,
as inter-governmental experts and on treaty bodies;

Encourage more indigenous and other marginalised women into involvement with
decision-making and politics;

Ensure that there is family-work balance that will enable women’s participation.
In addition, Governments, the private sector, NGOs and other civil society bodies are invited to
ensure that the above steps are implemented by developing mechanisms, training programmes,
support initiatives and monitoring that will result in women who are able to influence political,
economic and social decisions, processes and systems
The final clause of the Resolution reads:
“Requests the Secretary-General, in his report to the 50th session of the Commission on the
Status of Women, to include information on the participation of women in politics at all levels,
bearing in mind that the 2006 Commission on the Status of Women will consider ‘Equal
participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels’, and encourages
governments to co-operate with the Secretary­General by providing precise data on the
political participation of women at all levels.”
Dr Judy McGregor, in her address to us at the recent NZFGW Conference urged us to exercise our
advocacy role more fully. There are many clauses in the detail of this resolution that provide us with
an opportunity to be Agents for Change and to advocate for women in New Zealand and in the
Pacific region to participate more fully in politics and decision-making.
_____________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT
From Ann Pomeroy [[email protected]]
Bills before Select Committees
Submission closing date
Reports due
Assisted Human Reproduction Bill
closed
13 Feb 04
Human Assisted Reproductive
Technology Bill
closed
13 Feb 04
Care of Children Bill
closed
31 Dec 03
Sex Offenders Registry Bill
closed
29 Jan 04
Families Commission Bill
closed
12 Nov 03
Members of Parliament (Pecuniary
Interests) Bill
27 February 2004
15 Apr 2004
Public Consultation
Address for
submissions
Submission
closing date
Reports
due
Constituency arrangements for District
Health Boards under single transferable
vote
Ministry of
Health
closed
Dec 2003
3
National Executive News Nov 03
Reports from Select Committees
Health (Screening Programmes) Amendment. The committee’s report states that the National
Cervical Screening Programme generates and requires a variety of information including that
relating to the screening histories of individual women, information needed by the programme itself
and information required to evaluate the programme. The bill refines the National Cervical Screening
Programme and provides protections for this information.
The programme moved to an ‘opt-off’ system in 1993: this means women are automatically enrolled
in the programme after their first smear test and must actively choose to be removed from the
programme. The bill changes the 1993 system so that women can opt off the entire programme
rather than removing individual results only. While many believe the programme should be an
‘opt-on’ programme, experience shows that too few women enrolled under that system to provide the
data needed for research to decrease the incidence of cervical cancer in New Zealand.
The changes in the bill are intended to ensure women’s case histories are both complete and
accurate. Incomplete histories pose a clinical risk to the individual woman concerned (as it may
affect her clinical management) and may impede the effective evaluation of the programme and
reduce the ability of the programme to meet its goal of reducing mortality from cervical cancer.
The select committee made recommendations concerning access to primary care records,
availability of information to screening programme evaluators, limiting extension of the bill to cervical
screening only, and publication of evaluation results to provide the public with information on the
effectiveness and quality of the programme. It also has recommendations on access by screening
programme evaluators to records held by private specialists (in addition to hospital records),
inclusion of definitions of cancer and cervical cancer in the bill, procedures for screening programme
evaluators to report concerns about practitioner competence, and care of specimens.
Action: read bill; lobby health select committee.
http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/Content/SelectCommitteeReports/214bar2.PDF
Sonja Davies Peace Award
A fund has been established to support an award to honour the work and achievements of Sonja
Davies. Its purpose is to promote women’s initiatives to advance the cause of peace. The plan is to
grant an annual or biennial award to a woman or group of women who are seeking more knowledge
and skills, or developing an activity, which will help to build a more peaceful world.
Born on Armistice Day 1923, Sonja Davies has spent virtually her whole life striving for social justice
and human rights. She has been a city councillor, Founder President of the NZ Childcare
Association, a founder of the NZ Working Women’s Council, the first woman’s vice-president of the
Federation of Labour, an MP and an exec member of the World Peace Council. She has actively
campaigned for workers’ rights, high quality health services, excellent childcare, women’s refuges,
equal pay and opportunities for women, and peace.
The award is being administered by the New Horizons for Women Trust (which is a Registered
Charitable Trust for tax purposes). Donations may be sent to the New Horizons for Women Trust, PO
Box 12 498, Wellington.
Lotteries Grant Board
The restructure of the Lotteries Grant Board is expected to free up around one million dollars for
distribution to communities by reducing 25 committees (95 meetings) to 17 committees (51
meetings). The new structure is to be introduced on 1 July 2004. It will be predominantly regional
with 11 committees representing local communities, making social sector grants.
Retention of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs
The Labour Government has announced that it will retain and strengthen the Ministry of Women’s
Affairs as a stand-alone ministry, following a State Service Commission review that found that
without a specific women’s ministry there would not be sufficient focus on work that identifies
implications and opportunities for women in the policy process.
4
National Executive News Nov 03
The SSC review noted, however, that the Ministry’s performance in terms of policy development,
management systems, organisational culture and cross-government relationships needed to
improve.
The National Opposition has decided not to appoint a shadow spokesperson on Women’s Affairs.
NZFGW National Exec is writing to the Leader of the National Opposition to seek advice on how it
proposes to monitor work on identifying the implications and opportunities for women in policy
development across government, without a member of its caucus dedicated to scrutinising the
government’s performance in this area.
Action: views of NZFGW members on this topic would be very welcome. Email asap:
[email protected]
Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families
Victoria University recently opened this centre. It is developing a capacity for research around issues
affecting NZ families and its research will be valuable in informing the development and
implementation of government policy. The Centre coincides with the establishment of a Commission
for Families. The inaugural director of the Centre is Family Psychologist Dr Jan Pryor. Her research
focus is on the impact of the process of family change on family members, especially children.
The Centre’s current research projects include Resilience in Stepfamilies, Partnerships and
Parenting (experiences and expectations of 100 couples with children), and work on options for
measuring youth confidence.
A one day workshop is being sponsored by the McKenzie Centre and the Ministry of Social
Development on 4 December at the Michael Fowler Centre. To register, email
[email protected]
Impact of hearing impairment on older people
A useful article on this topic by Parveen Kalliath from Waikato University has been published in the
Social Work Review (Autumn/Winter, 2003, pp 43-46). It discusses the impacts of hearing loss on
the older person, including communication difficulties, reduced self esteem, reduced motivation and
engagement, social isolation, and frustration with the use of hearing aids. The article also provides
information on devices other than hearing aids that may assist those with hearing loss.
______________________________________________________________________________
CIR REPORT
Mary Trounson, 13 Eastcott Grove, Churton Park, Wellington 6004
Phone 04 478 4366, Mobile 021 390 392
[email protected]
From time to time requests for contributions may come in from IFUW. Material can come in at any
time with short time frames for returning information. It would be great if I had a list of interested
members who would be prepared to contribute or co-ordinate a contribution from members of their
branch. Please send me your email address.
Also while the CIR Report is contained in a hardcopy mailout to branches and available on the
Internet, the National Secretary is happy to email it out to Branch CIR’s and other interested parties.
If you would like to receive it by email please contact [email protected]
28th IFUW Conference – Perth, Australia, 4–10 August 2004
50 Packs have been ordered. We have recorded requests for conference packs from:
Nat Exec 11, Dorothy Meyer 1, Hutt Valley 3, North Shore 6, Otago 6, Waikato 7, Wellington 6.
Action. To facilitate the delivery of conference enrolment packs, if your branch is not named above,
please let me know as soon as possible how many packs you require. If the numbers listed above
are incorrect, let me know as soon as possible.
5
National Executive News Nov 03
Agenda. The preliminary agenda is available on the internet
www.ifuw.org/circulars/circular-2003-17.pdf Copies will be sent to the Branch Secretaries or contact
your National CIR.
Nominations for IFUW Special Committees 2004-2007. A call has been made to nominate
qualified members to serve on two IFUW Special Committees for 2004-2007: the Special Committee
on Project Development and the Special Committee for the Hegg Hoffet Fund. The deadline for
proposing names is 15 February 2004. For more information see
www.ifuw.org/circulars/circular-2003-15.pdf
Action. If you wish to be nominated or wish to nominate someone please contact National Executive
by 1 February 2004.
Proposed Resolutions for the 28th IFUW Conference
A call has been made for resolutions, to be received by IFUW by 4 February 2004. For more
information www.ifuw.org/circulars/circular-2003-14.pdf
Action. If you wish to put forward resolutions, contact your National CIR by 31 December 2003.
Study and Action Programme Workshops – Reminder. A day will be set aside for workshops at
the Perth Conference, and each NFA is welcome to propose up to four workshops for consideration.
See October CIR Newsletter for more information.
Action. If you wish to propose a workshop for the Perth conference please make sure completed
forms are with National Executive by 20 November 2003. Forms and more information are available
from www.ifuw.org/ifuw2004/workshops/workshop-call.htm or your CIR.
Action. For more information regarding conference issues contact your National CIR.
From IFUW
Working Paper on Capacity Building for a Civil Society Engagement in Education for All.
The team of IFUW permanent representatives to UNESCO has received an invitation to participate
in the drafting of a Working Paper as named above in the latter half of 2004. Contributions are
requested from those engaged in activities related to Education for All and to express what is being
done at local and national level. Contributions are required by 1 December 2003 to Francoise
Sauvage mailto:[email protected]
Action. If anyone would like to make a submission please contact your National CIR urgently.
Opportunity to Discuss Right to Free Quality Education (EFA)
A new email and web-based discussion forum on “Education Rights and Realities” has recently been
launched by www.learningchannel.org, a global on-line education initiative of One World South Asia
in partnership with www.campaignforeducation.org a coalition of civil society organisations
campaigning for free and quality education. This forum focuses on the right to free, good quality
education as it has been defined by successive international conventions and commitments, most
recently the six Education for All (EFA) goals agreed by 155 governments at the World Education
Forum in April 2000.
Action. To join visit: www.dgroups.org/groups/right2education/index.cfm?op=dsp_join and submit
your email address OR, Send a blank email to: [email protected]
In Brief

Virginia Maynard, Coordinator of the team of representatives to the UN in New York, has
resigned after many years of service. Mary Purcell, Past IFUW President, is the new
Co-ordinator.

To receive news on a regular basis about international issues and what is happening at the
United Nations join IFUW’s advocacy e-mail network. To subscribe, send an e-mail message
stating your name, city and national affiliate to [email protected].
6
National Executive News Nov 03

University Women of Singapore (UWAS) and Bulgarian Association of University Women
(BAUW) are now full members of IFUW.
From the Pacific – PGWNet
The Inaugural meeting of the PGWNet was held May this year with the support of UNIFEM Pacific
which funded air fares. The individual countries reported on their membership and projects.
VAWG (Vanuatu) –scattered membership, lack of attendance at monthly meetings. An applicant
received an IFUW fellowship to pursue a career in veterinary science. VAWG hopes to coordinate a
triennial conference.
UPNGWA (Papua New Guinea) Currently based at the University with plans to rename the
association as PNGWGA. They plan to establish a provincial set up as women graduates are
scattered. They hope to formalise their constitution and registration as an IFUW NFA before the
Perth Conference.
ATUW (Tonga) 51 members. Low meeting turnouts. Major projects include a conference and
initiative which sponsors students at the USP’s Distance and Flexible Learning Support Centre in
Tonga.
SIGWA (Solomon Islands) 20 members. Working on a number of projects and has submitted a
seminar paper for the Perth Conference.
SAWG (Samoa) 40 members 10 of whom are active. SAWG is recognised as a valid
non-governmental organisation in Samoa in terms of participation with government re CEDAW.
SAWG is involved in many projects including English dictionary prizes for girls in form 3 at all
secondary schools in Samoa (eligible for a Bina Roy grant) Its website is www.sawg.ws/
AFUW (Australia) 1100 members and are asset rich and cash poor. Resolutions from their recent
conference included lifting the value of aid to be directed to women and children and refugee issues.
There was a move to change the name from AFUW to AFGW, but this was defeated.
NZFGW offering touring opportunities after the Perth Conference.
FAWG (Fiji) Currently running a number of projects including Books for School, Girls in Science
Workshop (funded by Virginia Gildersleeve Fund) and Gender Awareness Workshops for high
school girls. They have joint luncheons with NGO groups such as Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fiji
Women’s; Rights Movements and gave a donation to VAWG for the Grace Molisa Memorila
publication.
National Executive would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Beverley Turner for
all the hard work she has put in over the years to bring this dream to a reality.
Inailau Women's Leadership Network
This Network was launched in Apia last month with Fiame Naomi as chairperson. It links into the
UNIFEM Regional Women and Politics (WIP) programme and to the Ministry of Women's Affairs
Samoa CEDAW partnership. It’s two goals are: Voter education so that women and girls understand
political processes and how these work; and to identify and mentor women and girls who have the
potential to be leaders and support this group.
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban MP, the first Pacific Island woman elected to the NZ Parliament, was the
key speaker. She commented on her experiences as an MP, stating that her staunchest support
during her campaign and today came from NZ women's groups, particularly, but not only the Pacific
Island groups. She reminded the meeting that women working together as the Women's Leadership
Network can achieve everything.
$11 Million Boost to Education in Solomon Islands
NZAID, the NZ government’s international aid and development agency, has committed $11 million
to help the Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and Human Resources introduce some basic
education programmes within the island nation’s strategic education plan. This is in addition to the
Solomon Islands government’s contribution to education, 22 percent of the total budget. It will go
7
National Executive News Nov 03
towards primary teachers’ salaries, basic teaching materials, and updating the curriculum. The
Solomon Islands is expected to receive similar funding packages for education until 2008.
IWRAW Asia Pacific Internship Opportunities
IWRAW Asia Pacific has an on-going internship programme that offers exposure to a range of
women's human rights issues and knowledge on CEDAW and related treaty bodies. Interns will also
be able to gain research, advocacy and/or organising skills and a chance to gain hands-on
experience through involvement in one of our trainings. Interns are also expected to help out with
day-to-day administrative work in the office and are NOT paid. Applicants are advised to seek
financial support independently.
Preference is given to applicants who can stay for a minimum of one month but preferably three or
longer and those who have recently completed or are completing a masters degree related to human
rights, social justice and/or feminism, and preferably with legal background and/or experience.
To apply, send:
1. A cover letter (indicating your strengths, areas of interest, and the timing and duration of
internship sought)
2. Resumé (CV)
3. Two writing samples (on feminist approaches to human rights and international law)
4. A reference letter (from your professor or current employer).
Documents can be posted or sent as email attachments to: International Women's Rights Action,
Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific), 2nd Floor, Block F, Anjung FELDA, Jalan Maktab 54000
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA E-mail: mailto:[email protected]
From the UN
UN Security Council Resolution 1325, titled "Women, Peace and Security
October 31st is the anniversary of the signing of this resolution in 2001. In New York,
commemoration plans include the launching of the UNIFEM Web Portal on Women, Peace and
Security as well as the World Premiere of documentary Peace by Peace: Women on the Frontlines.
The web portal features gender profiles of countries in conflict, issue briefs on pertinent thematic
areas and information on UN gender programming in conflict zones.
In the historic UN SC Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, the Security Council called for
increased attention to the impact of armed conflict on women and the centrality of women's role in
conflict prevention and peace-building. SC 1325 also noted a pressing need for consolidated data on
women, peace and security. For the text: www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/1325.html
Various coordinating committees established in the project countries of the UNIFEM Pacific Women,
Peace and Security project for Melanesia, bring together women's NGOs and the Ministry of Women
to collectively work on the four objective areas of the programme
Just as Resolution 1325 has galvanized the United Nations system into looking more critically at its
own work, and how the United Nations deal with gender perspective not only in peace-making and
peacekeeping, but also in humanitarian, disarmament and reconstruction activities, UNIFEM Pacific
calls upon leaders of Pacific Island countries, including leaders of regional organisations to
strengthen their integration of women in areas of decision making and policy formulation in relation to
current regional peace and security issues.
Working-at-Home-Moms
Edith Hagenaar, mom to three, wife and publisher, has written and published a book about working
from home in Holland, and is now preparing an international edition. She is looking to interview
wahms (work-at-home-mums) from all around the world, via email. If you would like to be
interviewed, see www.slot.org/edith. Wahms featured will receive a complimentary copy.
8
National Executive News Nov 03