Impressive progress made for New Zealand women
New Zealand had adopted a very sensitive approach to women’s human rights and had a good chance of becoming a good
practice example to many countries of the world said Ayse Feride Acar, Chairperson United Nations Committee, Convention
for Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Women’s Affairs Minister Ruth Dyson presented New Zealand’s 5th report to the CEDAW committee in New York this week. The
report covers the period March 1998 to 1 September 2002.
With impressive legislation for the advancement of women and women filling New Zealand’s four most powerful positions,
including that of the Prime Minister, expert members of the CEDAW Committee cautioned against complacency in a seemingly
ideal situation. The Committee said it was important to make sure that the current thrust was sustained and that there
was no slip-back in the future.
“Since the government’s last report to CEDAW in 1998, we have introduced a number of significant measures to improve
women’s lives," Ruth Dyson. "These include the introduction of 12 weeks paid parental leave, following serious concerns
from CEDAW about the National government’s lack of action on this issue throughout the 1990s.
Ruth Dyson said other key measures for women introduced since the last CEDAW report included: setting up a pay equity
taskforce to look at ways to reduce the gender pay gap; establishing an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Commissioner
in the Human Rights Commission; amending the Matrimonial Property Act to address economic disparities between partners
when a marriage or relationship breaks down; implementing Te Rito: New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy;
requiring gender analysis of papers submitted to Cabinet; publishing a Time Use Survey providing robust information on
the paid and unpaid work of women and men.
Ms Dyson said CEDAW provided a useful international yardstick against which to measure progress for New Zealand’s women.
“The Status of Women in New Zealand 2002 is a valuable record of the position of New Zealand women today. This report
provides the CEDAW committee and the New Zealand people with an understanding of the issues affecting women in this
country so that we can work together to improve the status of all women. “While the CEDAW report shows many positive
gains, it also acts as a reminder that structural and systemic inequalities still exist for women in New Zealand. To
address these inequalities, the government is developing a Women’s Action Plan which will be completed by the end of the
year,” Ruth Dyson said.
Further information on CEDAW and the Women’s Action Plan is available at http:// http://www.mwa.govt.nz