On Balance - Gender equality news

Here are just a few of the gender equality headlines from March:

Roastbuster issue wider than individual Police practice
The Independent Police Conduct Authority released its report on Police handling of the “Roastbusters” case. National Council of Women of New Zealand stated the report highlighted “continued systemic and cultural failings within the New Zealand Police.” President Rae Duff said that Police “actions showed they did not care or try hard enough to get justice for the victims.” The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse has released a summary of the report and responses to it.

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
The Minister for Women Louise Upston attended the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. At the session, she stated the Ministry’s priority areas were:

• supporting women in the workplace,
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• growing and developing our future pool of women leaders,
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• supporting families, and
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• preventing violence against women.
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Our President Rae Duff also attended the session. Members can read about her experience in the April edition of our newsletter the Circular.

International Women’s Day – “Make it Happen”
International Women’s Day was celebrated across the country. In Wellington, UN Women National Committee of Aotearoa New Zealand (UN Women NCANZ) and Zonta held a breakfast at Parliament. Keynote speaker Marilyn Waring received a standing ovation for her speech on “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” In the speech she noted “Forty years of feminist activism and there are issues with no progress at all.” UN Women NCANZ also launched the New Zealand division of the HeforShe campaign at the breakfast.

Women’s Refuge CE is announced
Women’s Refuge announced Dr Ang Jury as their new Chief Executive. Dr Jury has been involved with Women’s Refuge and the domestic violence arena since the mid-1990s. The Refuge also announced it had been given $3.6 million to run the National Home Safety Service in partnership with Shakti New Zealand and the Pacific Island Safety and Prevention Project.

More ACC support to help address sexual violence
ACC announced its new approach to support packages for people who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Improvements included more holistic support, more hours of support, more flexible support and a new purpose-built claim form which reflects the sensitivities of the situation.

Links to other news and research:

• University of Canterbury: Are NZ women on equal job footing with men?
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• NZ Government: Big reduction in young mums on benefit
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• Labour Party: Vodafone does the right thing for women
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• Shine: Shine is finalist for Avon Communications Award

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