In the conference, the representatives of the countries in the Pacific highlighted four critical issues which should be addressed in the review process. These are: political participation, employment and economic rights, health and domestic violence.
The participants observed that domestic violence is a growing concern in the region yet efforts of the governments to address this are inadequate. There remains an urgent need to pass legislation which will particularly address domestic violence. As in other countries in Asia, there is also a need to amend the laws and evidentiary requirements for rape to facilitate prosecution of the offenders and cover rape within marriages. The participants also urged the governments to set up shelters and provide counseling and medical services for victims of domestic violence. The participants also pointed out that the governments should look into violence committed against women in prisons and violence arising from customary punishment of women.
Regarding health, the participants noted that significant progress has been made in raising awareness of common diseases and campaigning for healthy lifestyle. However, the participants said that awareness raising campaigns should be expanded to include information dissemination on available health care services since women, especially those in the rural areas, are not fully aware of the health services offered by the public and private sectors. The participants also pushed for mandatory free health care and provision of health insurance regardless of the civil or marital status of the women. They stated that national budgets and bilateral and multilateral agreements must include allocations for the health concerns of women. Significantly, the participants also asserted that women's autonomy over their own bodies should be respected and the governments should undertake research to address the lack of health care facilities for the termination of complicated pregnancies.
The participants observed that women's employment in the formal sector has increased, but these are mostly in trade free zones where they receive lower wages and work under hazardous conditions. Hence, policies and law are urgently needed to address the exploitation of women in this type of employment and governments must commit resources to implement them. The participants also stressed that women's contribution in the informal and subsistence sectors must be recognized and reflected in national system of accounts. They also suggested that scholarships and other affirmative action programs must be carried out to encourage women to seek education and employment in non-traditional areas.
To increase women's political participation, the participants recommended that governments must introduce affirmative action measures such as quotas, ceiling on election expenses, funding policies, providing trainings for women candidates. They also reasoned that women's low participation in political processes is directly caused by the governments' failure to institute policies which reduce women's domestic work and encourage shared parenting responsibilities. They proposed that the governments should nominate more women to participate in international and regional organizations and specialized agencies.
The conference was attended by 30 representatives from the following NGOs in the Pacific region: CIWCC Punanga Tauturu Inc, FSM National Women's Advisory Council, DFID Pacific - RRRT, Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, Fiji Women's Rights Movement, Eastern Highlands Family Voice, Mapusaga O Aiga, Family Support Centre, Catholic Women's League, Tuvalu National Council of Women, Vanuatu National Council of Women, Vanuatu Human Rights Education Association. Some government officials from Vanautu were also present and a few representatives from funding agencies attended as observers.
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
Santitham YMCA, 3rd floor, Rm 305-307
11 Sermsuk Rd, Soi Mengrairasmi,
Chiangmai 50300 Thailand
Direct tel: 66 53 404 613-4
Fax: 66 53 404 615
Email: apwld@loxinfo.co.th
