Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, hosted 30 Pacific women political leaders and senior women in government at the inaugural Pacific Women Policy Makers' Dialogue in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga on 18 July.
The dialogue forms part of a strategy initiated by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, to promote voice and leadership for women
in the region.
Participants enthusiastically discussed ways to overcome barriers to women's leadership and strategies for women parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats to increase the impact of their leadership and decision-making. This was the first time that this group of key Pacific women leaders were able to meet to discuss the problems they face and how they can work individually, collectively and with others–including male advocates–to advance women's empowerment in the Pacific.
Ambassador Stott Despoja said the dialogue was a 'great opportunity to get together those women who are in positions of power, those women who are aspiring to be candidates or high level public servants, (to) talk about strategies for success, talk about the differences and the difficulties that we face'. She continued 'It is important that this work is led by Pacific women. Women in the Pacific have the talent and the skills to take their countries forward'.
The Cook Islands Past Immediate Speaker, Nikki Rattle, suggested that members of Parliament be trained in gender equality issues to ensure that all new legislation addresses the needs of women and considers the impact of the laws on women and men.
The Pacific has the lowest levels of women's participation in political processes in the world, at around four per cent compared to the global average of almost 22 per cent. The Australian Government recognises the significant benefits that flow to whole communities from women's participation in leadership and decision-making. Ambassador Stott Despoja said at the event, 'women's participation in decision-making benefits the whole community and increased numbers of women in government can lead to improved distribution of services such as water supply and sanitation facilities'. It is because of these significant and widespread benefits that Minister Bishop is dedicated to the empowerment of women, with a focus on increasing the effective representation of women, and women's interests, through leadership at all levels of decision-making.
The dialogue was implemented through Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women), a $320 million ten year initiative to improve the political, economic and social opportunities for Pacific women. Key focus areas include: improving women's leadership and economic empowerment and reducing violence against women.
More information
- Australian aid–Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development
- Pacific Women website [external link]
- Sign up for the Pacific Women e-Newsletter [external link]