GWNZ Work Continues…

I had the privilege of hearing a moderated conversation with Rt Hon Helen Clark at a recent conference where Helen reflected on her time as New Zealand’s Prime Minister and noted that whilst, in hindsight she realised that she had experienced the Glass Ceiling , she had been able to break through.

At this same conference another speaker had spoken about the Future of Work in an economic development sense, and noted that to be able to prepare for the various future scenarios a significant investment in the right education would be crucial.

I came away reminded by these two themes that we [Graduate Women New Zealand] still have work to do. If we truly want to empower Women and Girls through Education, we need to advocate for quality, appropriate and accessible to be provided both in New Zealand and internationally.

And that while barriers like subject and curriculum stereotyping, gender differences in post graduate career progression and advancement, and inequitable participation of women in senior leadership and management , true “Empowerment” is not happening!

Our recent AGM has strongly encouraged that we, GWNZ, can indeed contribute positively to Women and Girls being Empowered through Education. We have the pleasure of new and young members being elected to National Executive, and a core group of dedicated and informative members who want to continue to contribute to our work in various ways. Together, along with sound governance, management, and outreach I have no doubt we will be successful across many fronts. 

I hope you will join me in congratulating the Executive Team, liaise and support them in their various roles, and that in return we can support and encourage you in your many, varied and fantastic initiatives. We encourage you to keep us informed of you activities and successes so we can promote those to others.

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Pip Jamieson, President