Voices of Pacific Women Dr Pat Harrison OAM, MB,BS (London)

Greetings and apologies from BPW International President Freda Mirikilis

Introduction My background Why I am here Making your voices heard My experience

BPW International Founded 1919 in USA Became International Federation 1930 Founding Members United States of America Italy Great Britain France Austria Italy Canada

2012 BPW is in over 90 countries Has close ties with the United Nations through Economic and Social Council World Health Organisation International Labour Organisation UN Women (formally UNIFEM) UNICEF UNDP UNIDO

What does the United Nations do for Women? Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women Adopted by UN General Assembly 1979 Entered into force 1982 A Document outlining the Human Rights of Women Individual Governments ratify to make it policy in their jurisdiction

Commission on Status of Women Developed very early in the history of UN Meets annually in New York Government delegations and NGOs both attend Discusses matters affecting women and develops policy for implementation by Governments

Making our Voices Heard The United Nations sponsored a series of Conferences for women 1975 International Women’s Year 1 st World Conference for Women in Mexico 1980 Mid decade conference in Copenhagen 1985 End of Decade for Women 3 rd World Conference in Nairobi th World Conference for Women in Beijing

THE UN PROCESS How are our voices heard? NGO Preparatory Conference Regional Meeting for Governments Commission on the status of women The Beijing Conference

The Platform for Action 12 critical areas of concern

12 Critical Areas of Concern AWomen and Poverty BEducation and training of women CWomen and health DViolence against women EWomen and armed conflict FWomen and the economy

Critical Areas of Concern ( cont) GWomen in power and decision making HInstitutional mechanisms for the advancement of women IHuman rights for women JWomen and the media KWomen and the environment LThe girl child

The Follow Up Commission on the Status of Women Lobbying Governments Updating resolutions from Beijing Beijing plus 20

Global Compact for Women The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

Millenium Development Goals Year 2000 UN General Assembly Announced 8 Goals to alleviate Poverty by 2015

End Poverty and Hunger Universal Education Gender Equality Child Health Maternal Health Combat HIV Aids Environmental Sustainability Global Partnership

The UN Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:

Human Rights Principle 1Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and Principle 2:Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour Principle 3Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; Principle 4Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour; Principle 5Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and Principle 6Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment Principle 7Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; Principle 8Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and Principle 9Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption Principle 10Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business

Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.

The Principles are: 1Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality1Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality. 2Treat all women and men fairly at work — respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination2Treat all women and men fairly at work — respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination. 3Ensure the health, safety and well- being of all women and men workers3Ensure the health, safety and well- being of all women and men workers. 4Promote education, training and professional development for women4Promote education, training and professional development for women.

5Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women5Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women. 6Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy6Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy. 7Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality7Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

How do we achieve these Principles? Empower women by educating employers and employees Educate by direct contact with employers, both multinationals and smaller local employers UN Women in association with BPW are and will hold seminars to encourage more establishments to sign on

Internet References Women’s Empowerment Principles can be found on the UN Global Compact Web Site Calvert Women’s Principles

What can you do locally? 1Lobby your government to support the Global Compact 2Lobby Government and Business to embrace the Women’s Empowerment Principles 3Encourage women to apply for senior positions and support them 4Encourage women to stand for election and support them 5Hold information sessions at schools and universities to make women aware of the issues and encourage them to be involved 6Publicise success when employers sign up for WEPS 7Support those companies who sign up for WEPS

Thank you