Rural women and babies at risk
“Women's and babies’ lives are at risk and we want action,” says Penny Mudford, Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) national chair.
Gower is representing RWNZ at CSW62 as a member of the Pacific Women's Watch (NZ) delegation and Ms Mudford is attending as the Civil Society Representative on the New Zealand Government Delegation.
“The priority theme for CSW62 is ‘Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls so it is important we are there,” says President, Fiona Gower.
“RWNZ has taken the opportunity to share our stories with women from all around the world, gain knowledge and insights for our rural women from an international platform and get involved with ensuring that UN countries agree to do all they can to empower rural women and girls.
"We will be at various events throughout the two weeks including a side event at the UN which is co-sponsored by the New Zealand, Australian and Argentinian governments.
“RWNZ has organised a parallel event not far from the UN complex which includes women from around New Zealand sharing their experiences in business, governance and media.
“This is truly an outstanding opportunity for RWNZ to share the ingenuity, enterprise and empowerment we enjoy in New Zealand with rural women from around the world so they themselves are empowered – that’s quite special,” says Gower.
