National eroding New Zealand’s proud record

~There is little to celebrate this International Women’s Day with Kiwi women going backwards by any measure under the National Government, Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says.

“A major annual report on the progress of women globally shows New Zealand losing ground for the second year in a row, scoring particularly badly in relation to economic participation and opportunity.

“While the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2013 ranks New Zealand seventh out of 136 countries, progress has hardly been spectacular with a ranking of 51st for percentage change since 2006.
 
“Just yesterday the Grant Thornton International Business Report showed Kiwi women are going backwards when it comes to senior management and boardroom appointments. This is supposedly one of the Government’s priorities for women.

“The Government is failing to make gains in crucial areas for women like pay inequality, violence against women and measures to help balance family and work responsibilities.

“The Minister of Women’s Affairs Jo Goodhew –  whose job it is to advocate for women – proudly told Parliament she doesn’t tell her colleagues how to do their job. This will hardly convince women she working for their best interests.

“The theme of International Women’s Day this year is Inspiring Change

“As we have an election this year, New Zealand women can vote to change the Government to one that will progress the lives of women. Labour is committed to real equality, real opportunity and real choice for all women,” Carol Beaumont says.

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