Voices of Pacific Women

1. Voices of Pacific Women Dr Pat Harrison OAM, MB,BS (London)

2. Greetings and apologies from BPW International President Freda Mirikilis

3. Introduction My background Why I am here Making your voices heard My experience

4. BPW International • Founded 1919 in USA • Became International Federation 1930 • Founding Members • United States of America • Italy • Great Britain • France • Austria • Italy • Canada

5. 2012 BPW is in over 90 countries Has close ties with the United Nations through Economic and Social Council World Health Organisation International Labour Organisation UN Women (formally UNIFEM) UNICEF UNDP UNIDO

6. What does the United Nations do for Women? Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women Adopted by UN General Assembly 1979 Entered into force 1982 A Document outlining the Human Rights of Women Individual Governments ratify to make it policy in their jurisdiction

7. Commission on Status of Women Developed very early in the history of UN Meets annually in New York Government delegations and NGOs both attend Discusses matters affecting women and develops policy for implementation by Governments

8. Making our Voices Heard The United Nations sponsored a series of Conferences for women 1975 International Women’s Year 1st World Conference for Women in Mexico 1980 Mid decade conference in Copenhagen 1985 End of Decade for Women 3rd World Conference in Nairobi 1995 4th World Conference for Women in Beijing

9. THE UN PROCESS How are our voices heard? NGO Preparatory Conference Regional Meeting for Governments Commission on the status of women The Beijing Conference

10. The Platform for Action 12 critical areas of concern

11. 12 Critical Areas of Concern A Women and Poverty B Education and training of women C Women and health D Violence against women E Women and armed conflict F Women and the economy

12. Critical Areas of Concern ( cont) G Women in power and decision making H Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women I Human rights for women J Women and the media K Women and the environment L The girl child

13. The Follow Up Commission on the Status of Women Lobbying Governments Updating resolutions from Beijing Beijing plus 20

14. Global Compact for Women • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights • The International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work • The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development • The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

15. Millenium Development Goals Year 2000 UN General Assembly Announced 8 Goals to alleviate Poverty by 2015

16. End Poverty and Hunger Universal Education Gender Equality Child Health Maternal Health Combat HIV Aids Environmental Sustainability Global Partnership

17. The UN Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:

18. Human Rights • Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and • Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

19. Labour • Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; • Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour; • Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and • Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

20. Environment • Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; • Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and • Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

21. Anti-Corruption • Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

22. Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business

23. Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.

24. The Principles are: • 1 Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality. • 2 Treat all women and men fairly at work — respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination. • 3 Ensure the health, safety and well- being of all women and men workers. • 4 Promote education, training and professional development for women.

25. 5 Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women. • 6 Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy. • 7 Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

26. How do we achieve these Principles? Empower women by educating employers and employees Educate by direct contact with employers, both multinationals and smaller local employers UN Women in association with BPW are and will hold seminars to encourage more establishments to sign on

27. Internet References Women’s Empowerment Principles can be found on the UN Global Compact Web Site Calvert Women’s Principles

28. What can you do locally? Lobby your government to support the Global Compact Lobby Government and Business to embrace the Women’s Empowerment Principles Encourage women to apply for senior positions and support them Encourage women to stand for election and support them Hold information sessions at schools and universities to make women aware of the issues and encourage them to be involved Publicise success when employers sign up for WEPS Support those companies who sign up for WEPS

29. Thank you