UK government acknowledges New Zealander in New Year Honour

UK government acknowledges New Zealander in New Year's Honour

Family Planning has welcomed the British New Year’s Honour given to its former executive director saying it’s a significant acknowledgement of her work – in particular her work on behalf of women, young people, health and human rights.

Dr Gill Greer was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the British New Year’s Honours List announced today. She will receive her honour at a ceremony later in the year . She sees this recognition as an indication of the importance the United Kingdom government places on women’s and girls’ education, rights and health in its international Aid policies. ‘For them, the prevention of women’s, girls’ and infants’ deaths and illness resulting from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and women’s lack of empowerment is a priority.’

Family Planning Chief Executive Jackie Edmond says Dr Greer headed the International Planned Parenthood Federation for five years – working to promote access to sexual and reproductive health services in 172 countries, through the work of 153 community owned NGOs providing services, education and advocacy. This followed an eight-year stint as executive director of Family Planning in New Zealand .

“This is a demanding area to work in. Too often, sexual and reproductive health work is sidelined by groups with a narrow and not women-friendly focus. We applaud Gill’s honour and hope that this might encourage greater action and commitment to sexual and reproductive health services globally,” Ms Edmond says.

“The International Planned Parenthood Federation celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2012. In New Zealand , Family Planning celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. Honours like this underline how far such services have come but how much remains to be done to address issues such as access to contraception, the provision of safe legal abortion as a key health intervention, services for adolescents, comprehensive sexuality education and much more.”

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