International Council of Women

To Cosima Schenk, President of the International Council of Women and Members of the Board, to Dame Miriam Dell, Past President of the I C W, to Jane Prichard, President of the International Council of Women Asia-Pacific Regional Council and your fellow Councillors, to Elizabeth Bang, President of the National Council of Women of New Zealand and representatives of New Zealand women’s organisations, to Professor Martin Manning, Director of Climate Change at Victoria University’s School of Government, to Dr Jackie Blue, Member of Parliament and to Distinguished Guests; tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa, a warm South Pacific good morning to you all.

I am delighted to have been invited to officially open the International Council of Women’s Fourth Asia-Pacific Regional Council Seminar here in Auckland.  This is the beginning of three-days of conferring which I am sure will be a great chance to learn and to build on friendships with each other.

As Patron of the National Council of Women of New Zealand which is the host of this seminar, may I give a very warm New Zealand welcome to those that have travelled so far south to be here.

The first Asia-Pacific Regional Council meeting was held in Auckland six years ago, in 2004 in this same venue.  There have since been meetings in 2008, in Jakarta and in 2009, Johannesburg.

This fourth meeting builds on the established networks, provides an opportunity to meet new people and provides a place for robust discussion on some important issues of concern to women.

The overarching theme of this conference is Progress for Women is Progress for All.  This is an important point to make as women work for the whole family and the community.

In reflecting on the conference sub-themes, I thought it would be good to share some thoughts about the imprtant work you do in promoting equality for all women

The Monday workshops are focussed on Women as Entrepreneurs.  This is timely and appropriate in this rapidly changing social and economic global environment.  I am sure you will use and pass on the approaches and knowledge that you have gained.

The ability to ‘be one’s own boss’ with flexible working hours accommodates the demands of family and allows a woman to use talents and skills to her, and her family’s, financial benefit.  In a society that is tailored towards men, starting a business gives women the opportunity to use their own talents and skills for profit.

In the recently released United Nations Report called “The World’s Women 2010”, it was shown that many pregnant women still lose their employment.  The U N report pointed out that women remain under-represented, sometimes markedly, in decision-making positions in parliaments, governments, and in the private sector.  In fact it found that only 13 of the world’s 500 largest corporations are led by women Chief Executives.

New Zealand genuinely tries to ensure gender equality.  We were the first self-governing nation to give women the right to vote and since then, we have progressed, together with other countries.  Not so long ago New Zealand had its key constitutional positions, the Governor-General, Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Speaker of the House of Representatives all filled by women.  We were the first self-governing nation to give women the right to vote in 1893 and since then, we have progressed, as have other countries.

Where ever we live, we are acutely aware that gender equality has still not been achieved in every sphere.  I encourage you here today to continue the work you are doing in your own country to advance that equality.  As it is a basic human right, it is one that we should all be striving to achieve.

The second sub-theme of this Seminar is Women Defending the integrity of the Planet as Change-Makers on Climate.  Today’s children will inherit the world as we leave it and I feel it is our duty to lighten the footprint we leave.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said:
"The question is not whether climate change is happening or not but whether, in the face of this emergency, we ourselves can change fast enough."

Population is steadily increasing in the world and natural resources, such as water, are diminishing.  It is now vital to consider the impact of everything we do in our own environment.

Combating climate change will start in homes and businesses.  Being more careful and efficient about the energy we use and reducing, reusing, or recycling waste are initiatives that every community can adopt.  Changing household habits and encouraging communities to do the same needs to be something ‘owned’ by everyone.

Effectively combating climate change and improving our environment includes public debate.  The same United Nations Report I referred to earlier, “The World’s Women 2010”, found that fewer women than men participate in high-level decision-making related to the environment. 

Mother Teresa once said:
“What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do.  The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things.  But we can all do small things with great love, and together, we can do something wonderful.”

It is true that we are each uniquely talented and achieve less alone than we can with the co operation of others with different abilities.  I salute you all for the commitment you demonstrate in being here today.  Whether you have travelled a short or long distance, it is obvious that each person feels that the effort you make here will make the world a better place for women, and for everyone.

May I encourage you to continue to promote the role of women in the process of decision-making at a national and international level.  Improving the environment is an area where women are the natural leaders and the impact of efforts made will be felt in the generations that succeed this one.

As individuals, as communities, as nation states and as members of international organisations like the International Council of Women, we need to work with a common cause.  We can change the future of our place and planet.

South African, Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:  "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

I salute the International Council of Women, the many affiliates that make up its global network, including the National Council of Women of New Zealand, for the tireless and staunch advocacy for women’s rights.

There is still so much to be achieved for progress for women - and for all.  Both at home and in the Asia-Pacific Region, we can learn from each other and build on our interdependence.

It is not easy to stand up and fight for change but it is important to do so.  ‘The way it has always been’ always needs to be questioned in the light of the present.

In declaring the International Council of Women’s Fourth Asia-Pacific Regional Council Seminar open, I wish you fortitude in your endeavours, no reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.

Please join me in long and sustained applause to mark the opening of this conference which is so full of promise.