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| Gender equality a fundamental to peace building May 28, 2004, 16:10 |
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May 28, 2004
The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) as an integral member of civil society believes that the principles of gender equality and inclusion are fundamental building blocks for democracy and peace building.
The comment was made by GCC Chairman Ratu Epeli Ganilau, at the Sheraton Royal Ballroom in Nadi this afternoon as the Civil Society Preparatory (PartnersForum) meeting for the Seventh Women‚s Affairs Ministers meeting (7 WAMM) opened today.
Ratu Epeli said that it is fitting that on the eve of the Silver Jubilee of the adoption of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women), the Commonwealth Secretariat and Foundation has deemed it appropriate to table a Draft Commonwealth Plan of Action for the 7 WAMM.
"Now I understand that the purpose of this meeting is to afford us, the representatives of civil society and NGOs, from within the Commonwealth, the opportunity to discuss the Draft Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015.
"So that we will be able to contribute to achieving the Plan of Action and also to prepare us to articulate our suggestions and concerns about it to government delegations at the Women Affairs Ministers meeting next week."
He said it was disappointing to note that although nations, the statesmen and women of the world advanced a great new concept in CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) as yet, they have not prepared to implement it fully.
"But having said that, it would be prudent to search for real reasons for its shortcomings rather than to escape from the problem by the easy course of blaming and finger pointing.
"We should realize that the problem is not fundamentally with the Convention, but rather that people and nations have chosen to neglect and in some extreme case blatantly disregard their commitment to honour the Convention."
Ratu Epeli said that this should not deter their efforts but motivate them to succeed.
"The task ahead of us as Civil Societies and NGO, in short is not to invent new guidelines or new conventions.
"The challenge really is to ensure, by all possible means the implementation of all the existing Conventions, to awaken national and international opinion, to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Gender Equality."
He reminded the participants that the quest for gender equality could only be as strong or weak as its advocates.
"So if we as representatives of civil societies and NGOs are indifferent, passive, irrational and divided in our quest for the implementation of the Gender Equality, then the likelihood of success is remote if not non existent, however, if we are aggressive, persistent rational and united in our endeavour, then the chances of success will definitely be very high."
Ratu Epeli also said that the GCC is conscious of the fact that HIV/AIDS has become the single most powerful new threat to humanity and women and children in most cases are the innocent victims of this pandemic and they share the concern that inequality fuels the spread of these epidemics.
The Plan of Action for discussion at this forum will focus on Gender, Democracy, Peace and Conflict, Human Rights and the Law, Gender and HIV/AIDS and Gender and Economic Empowerment.
-End-
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