Regional conference ensures women with disabilities voices are heard
Women with disabilities in the Pacific regardless of income, location, disability, age or ethnic group must participate fully, freely and safely in political, economic and social life, according to Suzanne Bent, the First Secretary, Gender Equality, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Speaking at the 4th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability, Ms. Bent said the Women’s Regional Conference on Disability was relevant because it allow development partners, CSOs, NGO’s and other stakeholders to hear the concerns of women with disabilities in the Pacific.
“We acknowledge, more needs to be done to ensure the issues and concerns of women with disabilities are brought to the table and presented by the women themselves, and that action is then taken to respond,” she said.
This, she said, was part of the approach for Pacific Women, a ten-year regional program with a AUD $320M budget commitment to work across 14 Pacific Island Countries. The program works towards the empowerment of women and their full participation in the society they live in.
“The delivery approach recognises that the change needed starts from the individual level, through to the family, community and national levels. It needs to happen within formal systems as well as within the informal rules and practices which make up women’s and men’s lives.”
She said part of the guiding principles of Pacific Women was to acknowledge the complexity of gender inequality and the need for a collective and multi-layered solution.
Brent adds that forming partnerships was also an integral part of the work to combat gender inequality. She said donors catalysed the movement by providing the resources and funding needed.
“But although this is an important role, outside agencies cannot impose change; long term and sustainable change will only be driven by indigenous agents, groups and coalitions,” she said.
Brent said Pacific Women aims to establish the capacity, resources and relationships needed for action to be underway in all key areas across the region.
“And by the end of year six of the program, we want to see joined up services and action, that are independent of, but informed by, Pacific Women, happening in all 14 countries,” she said.
Speaking at the 4th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability, Ms. Bent said the Women’s Regional Conference on Disability was relevant because it allow development partners, CSOs, NGO’s and other stakeholders to hear the concerns of women with disabilities in the Pacific.
“We acknowledge, more needs to be done to ensure the issues and concerns of women with disabilities are brought to the table and presented by the women themselves, and that action is then taken to respond,” she said.
This, she said, was part of the approach for Pacific Women, a ten-year regional program with a AUD $320M budget commitment to work across 14 Pacific Island Countries. The program works towards the empowerment of women and their full participation in the society they live in.
“The delivery approach recognises that the change needed starts from the individual level, through to the family, community and national levels. It needs to happen within formal systems as well as within the informal rules and practices which make up women’s and men’s lives.”
She said part of the guiding principles of Pacific Women was to acknowledge the complexity of gender inequality and the need for a collective and multi-layered solution.
Brent adds that forming partnerships was also an integral part of the work to combat gender inequality. She said donors catalysed the movement by providing the resources and funding needed.
“But although this is an important role, outside agencies cannot impose change; long term and sustainable change will only be driven by indigenous agents, groups and coalitions,” she said.
Brent said Pacific Women aims to establish the capacity, resources and relationships needed for action to be underway in all key areas across the region.
“And by the end of year six of the program, we want to see joined up services and action, that are independent of, but informed by, Pacific Women, happening in all 14 countries,” she said.
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