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Over 1000 workplaces, schools, community groups and people across New Zealand joined this year’s virtual International Women’s Day celebration, hosted by the Zonta Club of Wellington and UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand on Tuesday March 8.
This year’s UN Women’s International Women's Day theme was "Gender Equality for a sustainable tomorrow”.
The theme recognises the contribution of women and girls around the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaption, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
Tara Singh, President of UN Women added, “Now more than ever, the impacts of our changing climate, political and social environments are being disproportionally felt by women and girls across the world. We can all be inspired by the leaders amongst us who are tackling these issues head on, and learn from the stories they have to share. UN Women are proud to be part of the 2022 event and look forward to hearing more from this stellar line up”.
Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. The issues of climate change and sustainability have had and will continue to have, severe and lasting impacts on our environment, economic and social development.
Anna Jackson, President of the Zonta Club of Wellington said during her welcome, “Zonta Wellington are thrilled to be once again co-hosting an incredible line up of speakers for this year’s International Women’s Day. From the first wāhine Māori Governor General of New Zealand, to the youngest regional councillor to be elected, we’re looking forward to hearing their inspiring stories as we mark this significant day”.
About the speakers
The Rt Hon Cindy Kiro (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine and Ngāti Kahu), GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand, is the first wāhine Māori to be appointed to this role. Prior to this, her distinguished career spanned tertiary education, she was also the first woman and first Māori Children’s Commissioner, and Chair of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Hon. Jan Tinetti is the Minister for Women, Minister for Internal Affairs and Associate Minister of Education. Prior to entering politics, Jan’s career was firmly established in education, serving as both primary teacher and Principal and advocating at a national level for equal educational opportunities.
Sophie Handford, Councillor for the Kāpiti Coast District Council. Sophie was the founder of School Strike4 Climate protest, one of New Zealand's largest and most successful protests, mobilising more than 170,000 people. Sophie became New Zealand’s youngest elected councillor in 2019.
Ranjna Patel ONZM QSM, Director and Founder of Tamaki Health. Tamaki Health was established in the 1970’s in Otara, and has since grown to a network of over 40 clinics across Auckland and New Zealand. Ranjan founded Gandhi Nivas programme, a family violence prevention programme that provides early intervention services for individuals at risk of committing harm in the family home.
The event was MC’d by Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i. Tupe is a Pacific storyteller who is passionate about inclusive leadership and uplifting women’s voices. She is currently the Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation which is working towards an Aotearoa New Zealand that is just, inclusive, tolerant and free. In 2021 she was named as one of New Zealand’s most influential Lawyers by NZ Lawyer in the category of Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal Justice.
A recording of the livestream event is available via this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zv3k9wWjgU