Lesbian Labour MP Louisa Wall is about to take part in a gathering of female politicians from across the globe in Brussels. The Annual Summit of the "Women in Parliaments Global Forum" at the European Parliament is the first time that all female Parliamentarians in the World have been invited to gather in a unique conference. It will mark the milestone of 120 years since New Zealand women were the first in the world to vote in a national election. Wall tells GayNZ.com Daily News she is absolutely thrilled to have been selected by the Speaker to represent New Zealand. “It’s of added significance since New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote,” she says. “It is a very special opportunity and something I am very proud to undertake on behalf of our country.” Wall adds, “Also I think it makes a statement about where democracies like New Zealand have evolved to, where the representative at this forum is an indigenous lesbian who has won a general seat. It makes a statement on many levels about who we are as a country and how inclusive and representative we are.” The conference runs from 27 to 29 November. It will feature a selection of speakers including several Nobel Prize Winners and Heads of Government.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 26th November 2013 - 8:16am