View Of Women’s Decade Gloomy (Press, 17 March 1983)

During a regional meeting held in Ashburton on 12 and 13 March 1983, the National Council of Women (N.C.W.) focused on the critical issue of women's underrepresentation in decision-making bodies, both in New Zealand and globally. This marked the N.C.W.'s inaugural regional gathering, with plans for further meetings across the nation. Key speakers, including Dorothea Horsman, the national president of the N.C.W., and Laurie Salas, a vice-president, expressed concerns over the grim progress of the International Women’s Decade. They highlighted that women’s priorities often differ from those of men, leading to their issues being disregarded by male leaders, thereby necessitating a more balanced representation. Horsman noted a recent count of appointments indicating 202 men compared to 117 women, acknowledging an improvement yet emphasizing the continued disparity in representation. Salas, who participated in the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom conference in New York, reiterated the message on the lack of women's involvement in decision-making processes, stressing that women have historically been denied opportunities to influence critical societal developments. In local initiatives, the regional N.C.W. branches have been actively assessing lead levels in their communities, with significant findings in Woodend and Rangiora. In Rangiora, dangerous lead levels prompted local authorities to take action. Schools were encouraged to participate in lead testing, facilitated by a project led by Barbara Spurr. The branches also focus on supporting women in the workforce by running a Part-Time Work Centre, offering paid work opportunities for women at home. They are involved in various community lobbying efforts, including advocating for accessible post office services for the disabled. Additionally, the Waimate branch has expanded its long-standing program supporting young mothers in distress to now include aid for the elderly, showcasing the growing engagement and continuity of women's support initiatives. The meeting included various workshops and activities aimed at health, wellness, and empowerment for women, underlining a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for women across different domains.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand