Awareness on CEDAW and women’s rights underway in Gizo

THE awareness program on Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and human rights in relation to women’s rights is underway in Gizo, Western Province.

The awareness workshop is being held at Gizo women resource centre where 19 people are attending the workshop.

Director of women’s division in Honiara Janet Tuhaika said it is an awareness and advocate program on CEDAW and women’s rights.

“This is to inform participants about the significant of women’s rights, issues related and CEDAW policy,” she said.

She said they’ve also taken the chance to discuss the position of woman desk officer for the province.

Ms Tuhaika also met with Western Provincial government yesterday morning to discuss the position of woman desk officer for the province and women’s policy for gender equality.

She said this is for the province to formulate their own women policy on issues and needs of women.

However she said this has to be endorsed by the provincial government before they can formulate women policy.

“We were assured by the province that they would discuss the idea in their assembly meeting.”

She also said the discussion in the workshop also given them the chance to advocate for the ten reserve seats for women in parliament.

“This is to inform the people the whole meaning, the concept and hope of achievement of the campaign.”

Ms Tuhaika explains many people do not understand the idea and plenty of times they blame the idea belongs to women in Honiara.

She said the participants have shown their support and urged the ministry of women and national council of women to move forward with the campaign.

The awareness workshop will end tomorrow.

(2012-08-16/solomonstarnews)