A delegation from the National Pacific Women’s organisation PACIFICA Inc, will attend the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women from 11th – 22th March 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The annual event is recognised as the highest-level international forum dedicated to gender equality and the advancement of Women.
PACIFICA president Repeka Lelaulu says, “We acknowledge our foremothers who envisioned and paved the way for us to contribute globally; we honour them and travel with them in spirit as we make history for PACIFICA on the global stage.”
Anahila Kanongata’a, President of Heilala Manongi ‘o Maungakiekie PACIFICA branch says, for decades Pacific women and families have been represented by others at community, national and global forums.
“Attending the Commission brings to life our wellbeing report and is our opportunity to contribute and weave the voices of Pacific women from Aotearoa New Zealand globally,” says Anahila.
The theme this year is, ‘accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’.
Lelaulu says, “I am delighted to lead a strong delegation of eleven tamaita’i toa selected across the motu from our PACIFICA branches who are passionate about gender equality, advocating for Pacific women and uplifting our Pacific voices to influence and drive change for our aiga today and for future generations.”
“We take our ‘Wellbeing Report’ the first of its kind elevating the voices of Pacific women in
Aotearoa New Zealand to share,” she says.
“The report calls for action and points out the importance of developing appropriate Pacific resources, to gather data by Pacific for Pacific, to advocate for pay equity and to be the voice for Pacific communities to empower Pacific women and girls.”
PACIFICA Inc has been a unifying Pacific women since 1977. Irrespective of background, faith, or ethnicity and providing spaces and uplift together the lived experiences, cultural, and traditional tūranga for the collective benefit of all.
