Commission seeks public feedback on status of women's rights

Mon 8 Mar 2010

Poverty for women, violence against women and female representation in public life are three immediate challenges for New Zealand. They are identified as major issues in the first report on the status of women’s rights released today for public consultation by the Human Rights Commission.

“International Women’s Day is a time for us to celebrate the amazing achievements and progress women have made and honestly identify where we need to do better,” says Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor.   The report notes that while New Zealand women are faring well in many areas, there remain persistent hurdles to overcome before women achieve equality.

Many more women than men live in poverty and at the other end of the socio-economic spectrum few women occupy positions of governance and leadership in the business sector.   Women are one and a half times more likely than men to live in a household with a total annual income of $30,000 or less. The consultation report states that the median annual income for women of $19,100 falls more than a third (39 percent) behind the $31,500 for men. Nearly two thirds of New Zealanders whose annual income is less than $5000 are women, while three quarters of people with an income over $75,000 are men.

The Commission wants to hear from organisations and individuals with views on the human rights of women. Feedback on what people think would make a difference to the lives of women in New Zealand will help to guide the Commission’s work over the next five years. Consultation will help to inform reporting on progress of women to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). New Zealand ratified the international convention in 1985 and the report is part of New Zealand’s international obligations.

The Human Rights Commission is updating its status report: Human rights in New Zealand today. The report, first published in 2004, formed the basis for the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights 2005-2010- Mana ki te Tangata which has led the direction of the Commission’s work as a guardian of and advocate for human rights.

Throughout 2010, draft discussion documents for the updated report will be released for public consultation. The Commission welcomes your thoughts. Please send your feedback to: emilias@hrc.co.nz   or go to www.hrc.co.nz   or Human rights in New Zealand today, Human Rights Commission, PO 6751, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141.

For a copy of the draft consultation report: Human Rights and Women click here