By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Pacific Islands region, with a population of about 9 million people, presents a range of complex issues for development and gender-equality efforts, including deep social attitudes that limit women’s ability to receive education and career performance equivalent to men’s ability. The Commission on the Status of Women had a panel of presentations from several island nations who spoke of the need to have “gender-responsive programs” that grasp women’s immediate interests and implement relevant strategies for improving conditions across Pacific Island society.  A number of the presenters discussed the need to fully implement and meet the objectives of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  CEDAW has been ratified by 185 countries but has not yet become a binding global standard for women’s equality.  The treaty has also not yet been brought before the US Senate for ratification.

Ofa ki-Levuka-Guttenbeil-Likiliki, of the Tonga National Center for Women and Children, explained the slow evolution of women’s equality in her country.  In 1975 only 1% of parliament ministers were women and in 2005 Tonga elections had 5 female candidates, the most ever.  In 2008 no women entered Parliament, and only one woman currently serves as MP.

Kairangi Samuela, of the Cook Islands Women’s Counseling Center, explained how cultural standards are used as an excuse for not advancing women’s rights further.  She added that Pacific Island society is now more in need of women in public life than before and would benefit from taking advantage of individual talents of women who may be unable to access positions of leadership or decision-making.

The rising risk of HIV/AIDS to the Pacific Island nations was also discussed and linked to women’s rights and economic independence.  Women who are bound to the home and restricted from accumulating property are less able to take preventative action to avoid becoming infected.  The risk of infection has increased as sex workers from larger Asian nations have moved into the Pacific.

During his address to the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Honorable Willy Telavi, Tuvalu’s Minister of Home Affairs listed some factors contributing to discriminated against women in the Pacific, “the use of custom, culture and tradition as justifications for discriminatory and violent treatment; early and forced marriage, especially in Melanesia; limited access to education; teenage pregnancy and the consequent impacts on health and education; and social acceptance of violent punishment of children.”

For more information, please see:
Islands Business – Commission on the Status of Women Reviews “Pacific Realities” – 16 March 2009

United Nations Development Programme – Translating CEDAW Into Law: Opening Remarks – 07 March 2009