Oceanic Women
Today ministers from Australia and New Zealand gathered in Adelaide for the Ministerial Conference on the Status of Women. Shenagh Gleisner, the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Women’s Affiars in New Zealand, talked to Andrea Johansen about the situation there. She explained that despite women holding many positions of prominence in New Zealand there was still progress to be made and said she would like to see debate move on from viewing women as victims to highlighting the unique contributions they make. Australia’s Federal Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women, Kay Patterson, said the positions of women in the workforce had improved under the Howard Government and that many women chose casual work due to its flexibility. But Mary Andrew, the Election Campaign Officer for the Women’s Electoral Lobby, said many of the gains were cosmetic and much more change is required at government level.
Ministry of Women’s Affairs New Zealand
Senator Patterson’s Ministerial Home Page
Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) Australia Inc – Home Page