9 March 2012

Women parliamentarians meet on International Women’s Day

The first meeting of the New Zealand Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Group for the 50th Parliament was held on 8 March 2012, to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Established in the last Parliament, the CWP is a cross-party group that aims to promote parliamentary representation of women and represent women parliamentarians’ views and concerns.

Dr Jackie Blue MP and Louisa Wall MP were elected co-chairpersons of the CWP Group at yesterday’s meeting.

The CWP Group has achieved a lot in its short life through a range of activities, Dr Jackie Blue said.

“A highlight last year was hosting a Gender Seminar, which was attended by female MPs and parliamentary candidates from around the Pacific region, and it is hoped that this momentum will continue.”

Louisa Wall said the CWP Group is now focussing on what can be achieved this Parliament and will be putting together a three year plan.

Initiatives to support increased female representation in the Pacific will continue to be a focus for the CWP group, and Asenati Lole-Taylor MP was appointed the New Zealand representative on the CWP Pacific Region Steering Committee.

ENDS

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