Progress for all

Happy International Women’s day!

The will to advance  women’s empowerment and gender equality must come from women themselves and should be promoted in harmony with empowerment for women.

Vanuatu’s own Justice and Social Welfare DG Dorosday Kenneth could not have summed the situation better when she stressed the above to over 40 women and guests at the International Women’s Day Lunch Reception hosted by the Australian High Commission, Monday.

On congratulating women on their progress Australian Deputy High Commissioner Charlene Watego also raised some frank questions on what each woman should ask herself: “what responsibility do I have as a woman? I am doing contributing to the cause of gender equality?

“Am I maintaining good relationships and networks with other women?  Are we working effectively together to achieve our goals?  And if not, why not - and how can I work better?   And I hope that every woman in this room also asks themselves the same question.

“Having different opinions and views are good - and that should be encouraged - but we should also never lose sight of what is our ultimate goal.  Individuals can make a difference, but it will only be through a united women’s community that we will bring about lasting change.

The strength of women are our networks - and I hope the women’s community in Vanuatu can be strengthened through events like this.”

Celebrating this year’s event with the theme “Equal rights, equal opportunities, progress for all” women representing all sectors in the workforce and society gathered together reminiscing that it is in fact 15 years after implementing Beijing Platform of Action and we have come a long way.

DG Kenneth said progress on understanding women’s empowerment and Gender equality is not clearly understood by all peoples within different levels of Vanuatu society and it is widely accepted by a lot of people as women’s issues as reflected in the various commitments on gender development and gender equality.

“For further progress 3 main requirements are required, including: (I) Economic Development should be pursued in tandem with social progress and poverty reduction.

(II) The will to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality must come from women themselves and should be promoted in harmony with empowerment for women. Women must be encouraged and supported to advocate for women’s issues by and within family members, civil society organizations and the Government’s institutions and organizations. Women must believe in themselves in addressing their issues and must support each other for their advancement.

MP Eta Rory also took the opportunity to wish women from all six provinces a happy International Women’s day and to work together for a better wholistic celebration for the International Women’s day in 2011 and Vanuatu’s Table Tennis Star /Vanuatu Athletes Commissions Chairlady Anolyn Lulu also gave an inspiring message.

- Jane Joshua