Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) extends its warm congratulations to the strong contingent of Pacific women who were announced as winners in the 2020 Women of Influence awards on Tuesday night.
PCF Chair Fiso John Fiso says, “Having four Pacific women announced as part of these prestigious awards is hugely exciting and encouraging for Pacific women in New Zealand right now and I believe for the whole of New Zealand for that matter, given our strong connections to the Pacific region geographically, culturally, economically, historically and constitutionally.
“Home to the largest Pacific population in the world, this recognition of the strong contribution and calibre of Pacific women in New Zealand has been a long time coming, and I truly believe that all the hard work and sacrifices over generations are finally paying off for Pacific woman who are the back bone of Pacific families, and often our quiet leaders and unsung heroes.
Latest statistics show that Pacific women are disproportionately worse off across a range of income and employment measures. According to data from the Public Service Association, drawn from Statistics NZ figures, Pasifika women earned on average 25.4 per cent less than Pākehā men.
“But these statistics will change and the wave for Pacific is building in strength and velocity,” says Fiso John Fiso.
“Not only do we now have a strong Maori wahine announced as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, who has expressed a strong commitment to the Pacific and who will work closely with Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Aupito William Sio, we have a strong line up of Pacific female MPs and Ministers in this 53rd Parliament, and we are now seeing a rising up of Pacific women in all spheres of leadership from dance, to non-Government, to youth leadership and life-long leadership.
“This is a powerful time for Pacific women and the Pacific Cooperation Foundation is truly proud of your successes,” Fiso John Fiso said.
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