Goodhew Jo: Debate On Pacific IssuesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeGoodhew Jo: Debate On Pacific Issues[Sitting date: 18 April 2013. Volume:689;Page:9587. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon JO GOODHEW (Minister of Women’s Affairs): Warm greetings to our Pacific colleagues. Welcome to the first ever Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders Forum. Welcome to New Zealand.My background is that I am an elected member for an electorate called Rangitata on the east coast of the South Island. I think it would be fair to say that there is no other part of New Zealand that has so few Pacific people amongst its population but the number is growing. The economy of my electorate benefits from the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and I thank the Pacific Islands for sending people to work in my electorate. I hope that the work they are doing in New Zealand is indeed enriching their lives and assisting their families as it is our economy and our lives. In fact I want to say to you that as the number of Pacific peoples in my electorate increases so too is my community enriched.As Minister of Women’s Affairs I am delighted that I can welcome to this forum over these days the 16 female political leaders who come from Pacific Island nations. I want to acknowledge the fact that prior to me speaking there were two other female politicians from New Zealand—one from Labour; one from the Greens. I know that our Minister for Pacific Island Affairs is going to wind up our debate here this afternoon—again one of our female politicians. So although we are some I think 31 or 32 percent of this Parliament we are finishing in style with the women’s voice of this Parliament. I know that increasing women’s participation in the Pacific legislatures is a challenge. I acknowledge that challenge. I wish you well in the different way that each nation is addressing that challenge. I also wish you success.I would like to congratulate the Pacific on bringing gender to the forefront. For example the 2012 Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration renewed the Pacific’s commitment to improving the lives of women and girls. The Pacific Regional Action Plan on Women Peace and Security 2012-15 was the first of its kind in the Pacific. It enhances women’s security in conflict situations and women’s leadership in conflict prevention and peace building. In March this year I was absolutely delighted to see the Pacific play such an active role in the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. It was noted that the Pacific Islands were playing an increased role a very much increased role. I was delighted to be there in amongst it. I would also like to commend Samoa for leading the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action Monitoring Group. The gender plan of action is the framework through which the Commonwealth contributes to the advancement of gender equality.The Pacific’s performance on gender equality in education also deserves specific mention. Literacy rates are very high and significant gains have been made in girls accessing primary and secondary education in most areas of the Pacific. Congratulations on your progress in this respect.New Zealand is a supportive partner for gender equality in the Pacific. In health and education we work very closely with our development partners to improve access to education for girls and to strengthen services in maternal and family reproductive health and through our aid programme we offer scholarships to assist women into tertiary education. Improved infrastructure—primarily transport energy water andtelecommunications—also contributes to economic development and women’s economic empowerment.We recently extended the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme to 2016. This is a successful partnership betweenNZAID the New Zealand Police and the Pacific Islands chiefs of police. It aims to reduce violence against women and provide better access to justice for women victims and survivors.Along with Australia and the US New Zealand is supporting the Emerging Pacific Women’s Leadership Programme. Women leaders from the 12 Pacific countries are implementing projects that promote young women leaders and advance women’s economic opportunities. Women’s economic empowerment may be enhanced by improving women’s rights to land ownership secure employment and fair and equal pay.As my colleagues before me have acknowledged eliminating violence against women is a struggle we face nationwide. We join with you in attempting to address that struggle here in New Zealand as well.I close by once again saluting the 16 women leaders—political leaders—who have come to this forum. In fact I salute all of the political leaders who have come to this forum for improving the lives of women and girls can be done only with our menfolk helping us. Please enjoy your time in New Zealand. It is wonderful having you here.