15 June 2011

“The Canterbury earthquakes have graphically demonstrated that we can’t avoid many of the risks that Nature throws up at us. But we can and must do more about the risks threatening our society,” National Council of Women NZ (NCWNZ) President Elizabeth Bang said today.

NCWNZ is a long established not for profit organisation whose objective is to improve the quality of life and well-being of women, their families and the community.

Earlier this month Sir Peter Gluckman, Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, called for early intervention and investment in at-risk children and their families. Elizabeth Bang said that NCWNZ is totally supportive of this call to action. She noted that NCWNZ is currently preparing a report for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which identifies the significant risks currently facing New Zealand families.

“There are several critical risk areas which are threatening our society,” Elizabeth Bang said. “These are the lack of jobs, poor housing conditions including over-crowding in homes, alcohol and drugs, poor parenting skills, lack of access to early childhood education, and the cost of medical treatment.

“If we want a society with positive mental health and sustainable financial security, every one of us must do more as individuals, as members of organisations, and as communities to address these risks,” concluded Elizabeth Bang.

Elizabeth Bang,
President, NCWNZ

ENDS

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