Gender equality is a human right: a Pacific focus
September 23, 2015
Barriers to participation in economic development, poor access to healthcare, restrictive legislative frameworks, and low levels of political representation at decision-making levels are some of the factors that are contributing to the persistence of discrimination against women and gender inequality in the Pacific. Worst of all is the horrific prevalence of gender-based violence.
“We owe it to the women of our Pacific nations to eliminate the violence and all other discriminatory norms that are denying them equal partnership in development and progress,” said Dr Laurent Zessler, UNFPA Pacific director and representative.
Ariela Zibiah, a communication analyst at the UNFPA Pacific sub-regional office, discusses why gender equality has been narrowly defined in the past, and must hold the same level of importance as the words “human rights”.