GOVERNMENT OF THE COOK ISLANDS
Hon. Ngamau Munokoa
Minister for Internal Affairs and Public Works, Energy
and Physical. Planning
COUNTRY STATEMENT
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION:
" WOMEN 2000: GENDER EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND
PEACE FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY"
5-9 JUNE, 2000
New York
Mr Chair/Madame Chair, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Kia Orana. I bring greetings on behalf of the Government and people of the Cook Islands.
We have prepared a formal paper on the Cook Islands situation regarding matters before this Special Session of the General Assembly that has been given to the Secretariat for circulation. Given time constraints, however, I would like to speak very briefly to the paper.
Like many other countries attending this Session, women in the Cook Islands traditionally played a role focussing on child-raising and domestic duties. Gradually; however, it came to be recognised that women were capable as well of making a broader contribution to the development of the country. They also had a right to do so.
In fact since the approval of the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategy in 1985 and the Beijing Platform of Action ("BPA") in 1995 in particular, the status of women in the Cook Islands in all of the critical areas identified by the Strategy and Platform of Action has improved considerably.
In 1995 the Cook Islands adopted its first "National Policy on Women". That Policy clearly recognised
"...that women are an integral part of our nation. Their involvement in community and national development is most important. They must never be just passive observers. It is
only proper that women should be equal partners with men in the development process of the Cook Islands."
In these few minutes, I would like to concentrate on four areas in which progress has been noteworthy.
FIRST, WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
Women have played a leading role in the protection of our fragile and vulnerable ecosystem. Their push for the use of traditional marine conservation reserves known as the "raui" to contribute towards an increase in the numbers of fish and shellfish available for present and future generations. These conservation reserves are not legislated for but are community based and managed on the basis of trust and responsibility.
SECONDLY, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
Progress has been made with regard to the establishment of mechanisms of collaboration between Government and NGO's. Government agencies have come to recognise that this is not a domestic problem that should be swept under the carpet to be sorted out between individual parties. Rather, it is a community problem. With the assistance of donor governments, training of the judiciary, probation, health and police officials in appropriate ways to deal with this problem has been possible. The provision of victim support and assistance is also now readily available. Government is currently reviewing legislation related to sexual crimes.
THIRDLY, WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-MAKING.
We have recently seen the election for the first time of two women to our twenty-five Member Parliament and nine women to local government. Four women have also been appointed to head important Government agencies/Ministries.
FOURTHLY, WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY.
Since strict economic reforms were made in 1996, statistics collected indicate that exactly 50 percent of small businesses started up with Government assistance were by women. For the period from January-December 1999 total funds accessed by small businesses owned by women amounted to 77.8%, this includes applications to commercial banks and international funding agencies and schemes.
In trying to highlight the positive areas, we are ever mindful that much work still needs to be done in these and other areas, which include:
further support services, training and capacity building - for government officials and civil society to address the issue of violence against women; and
domestic implementing legislation and training concerning the various agreements relating to women to which my Government is a party.
Progress in the implementation of the BPA has been made possible by a close working partnership between Government and civil society, in particular NGOs.
To conclude Mr Chair/Madame Chair, my government would like to reiterate its support for the Strategy and Platform of Action and will renew its commitment to meet its obligations. I would also like to lend our support to issues of concern to the Pacific Island countries, namely, the cessation of nuclear testing, and the banning of hazardous wastes from our region.
We would like this Session to do two things:
1. Acknowledge the hard work done by us all to meet the goals of the BPA;
2. Call for renewed commitment from everyone here - the international and regional organizations, governments and NGOs, to continue to work towards achieving gender equality, development and peace for the 21st century.
The Cook Islands Government looks forward to working closely with other members of the international community during and following this Special Session.
Mr Chair/Madame Chair, meitaki maata. Thank you.
The Full Text of the Cook Islands Statement
The Cook Islands exercised its act of self-determination in 1965 through a process overseen and endorsed by the United Nations. The Cook Islands has since tried extremely hard, and continues to do so, to improve the economic, political, and social development of our country and has made some significant progress.
An important part of Government's overall development efforts has been aimed at improving the status and situation o-f Cook Islands women which will ultimately benefit every individual in our very small island nation.
THE BEIJING GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION
The Cook Islands domestic strategy regarding women has guided by the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategy, which was adopted by the international community in 1985. This was the catalyst that encouraged government to pledge commitment to the Beijing Global Plan of Action ("BPA") in 1995. Wherever possible, Government with civil society has facilitated and coordinated these national efforts in order to meet those aims.
GENDER EQUITY
Gender equity in the Cook Islands is beginning to be manifested in all areas of community life, both at local and national levels.
Government has given priority to ensuring that the status and situation of women, inclusive of girls and women with a form of disability, will continue to be mainstreamed in national development strategies.
COOK ISLANDS NATIONAL POLICY ON WOMEN
Government adopted its first "National Policy on Women" in 1995. This Policy includes a local "Plan of Action" for each of our nine outer island communities.
The foreword of that Policy recognizes that:
"Women are an integral part of our nation. Their involvement in community and national development is most important. They must never be just passive observers."
"It is only proper that women should be equal partners with men in the development process of the Cook Islands."
We have tried to keep pace with the BPA through the implementation of our "National Policy on Women".
THE CURRENT STATUS OF COOK ISLANDS WOMEN
1. WOMEN AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING
In 1994, a "Human Development" report by the UNDP on the Cook Islands stated that the adult literacy rate for men and women in the Cook Islands was 99%. This situation remains the same; no other report has noted any decline in these figures.
In 1999, a report by UNICEF on the "State of the World's Children" also indicated that the literacy rate for female children was 99%.
Education is compulsory for all children aged 5 to 15 years.
Government's policy bases the allocation of scholarships for tertiary education on gender equity.
Government is endeavoring to ensure an inclusive education system to meet the educational needs and requirements of all, including those with a form of disability.
2. WOMEN AND HEALTH
Current life expectancy for women is 71.5 years and 69 years for men.
Women have 100% access to drinking water and waste disposal.
Women have access to a wide range of health services including family planning and maternal care programmes and information on STDs and HIV/AIDS.
3. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Government is a party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women ("CEDAW") and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child ("CRC"). Government is attempting to ensure implementation of these conventions within the framework of the country's national legal system.
Government is addressing inequalities and discrimination regarding access to justice. Some of the measures being implemented are:
review of legislation;
training of judiciary, police and probation officials; and
providing victim support and assistance.
Government recognizes and supports work done by NGOs to heighten general awareness that women's rights are human rights. In due course it is hoped that all forms of discrimination, especially the evil of violence will be eliminated from the lives of women, children, and just as importantly, women with a disability.
4. WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY
The number of small businesses managed or owned by women has increased, particularly over the past four years.
Women and men have access to financial institutions, small credit schemes and revolving funds to obtain loans.
Plans to establish a vocational programme for people with a disability are under consideration.
5. WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-MAKING
5(a) National Government
In 1899, the first woman (Makea Takau Arikz) was appointed to
the national decision-making body - the Federal Parliament, under the British colonial regime.
From 1947 to 1955, five women were elected to the Legislative Council, later known as the Legislative Assembly and then the Cook Islands Parliament.
When the country became a freely-associated State in 1965, a woman (Marguerite Store) was elected to the first Legislative Assembly. Story was later appointed the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, serving in this post for fourteen years.
From the election of Story in 1965, no other women were elected to Parliament until 1983.
Today, in a 25-member house, there are for the first time two women Members of Parliament
5(b) Local Government
The changes at the national level are also being reflected at the local Government level.
Five women were elected onto one local government council.
There are nine local governments in the Cook Islands.
5(c) Government Agencies
Women head four Government agencies. The Solicitor
General is a young Cook Islands woman.
5(d) Traditional Leaders The Government believes that important cultural values, which are fundamental to the sustainable development of Cook Islands society, must be maintained and respected.
Government has ensured the inclusion of traditional leaders in the decision-snaking processes of the country by establishing a House of Ariki - a council of all paramount Chiefs - a permanent mechanism by which traditional leaders may give advice to Government on matters relating to local custom and tradition.
Some religious denominations have yet to demonstrate gender equity. in allowing women to occupy senior positions within their organizational structures.
6. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN
Government has established a process that enables NGO's to assist coordinate, facilitate, monitor and evaluate all development programmes related to women. The Cook Islands National Council of Women, acting as the umbrella organisation for women NGO's, was created in 1984 to fulfil; this role. Together with the Government Division for Women's Affairs they collaborate on a wide range of development efforts for our women.
7. HUMAN RIGHTS OF' WOMEN
In collaboration with Government, several NGOs are actively undertaking the promotion of women's rights in the Cook Islands. This includes:
Legal literacy training for government officials, NGO's and people at the village level, both on the main island and in the Outer Islands.
Dissemination of information on CRC, including publication of posters and stickers oğ CRC in the local vernacular.
Translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into the local vernacular.
Training workshops on the principles of good governance.
8. WOMEN AND THE MEDIA
Women in the Cook Islands are involved in all aspects of the media.
For example,
The Manager of one of the 2 radio stations in the country is a woman.
The General Manager of the only television station is a woman;
Three women own their own media companies;
The Editor of a weekly magazine is a woman;
The Editor of a business monthly magazine is a woman;
The President of the Cook Islands Media Council is a woman.
9. WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Several outstanding achievements have been made on environmental matters initiated or strongly promoted by women. These include:
The raui, which is a unique traditional marine conservation
reserve, ensures protection of the marine environment life to contribute towards an increase in the numbers of fish and shellfish available for present and future generations. This concept has also been extended to encourage sustainable use of natural parks, bird and plant life.
Promotion and use of traditional plants for medicinal purposes.
National Women's Policy includes environmental programmes targeted women.
The Environmental Council, the body responsible for providing environmental policy advice to the Minister for the Environment, has a woman representative.
10. WOMEN AND REGIONAL CONCERNS
The Cook Islands supports the stand taken by other Pacific Island countries in their efforts to ban all hazardous wastes from the Pacific region. The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone treaty, commonly known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, was adopted in the Cook Islands in 1985, an important step in the global process of eliminating nuclear testing from the face of the earth.
The Cook Islands is also a signatory to the Comprehensive NuclearTest-Ban treaty and currently hosts two monitoring stations for verification purposes.
The Cook Islands Government and people continue to call on those responsible to cease the transportation and the dumping of their nuclear and hazardous wastes in the Pacific Islands region.
It is time for women to play a more direct, central role in decision making in all countries, promoting the more effective use of resources and energy towards developmental programmes which will bring about peace and equality amongst all nations and peoples.
The Cook Islands Government would like this Session to do two things:
1. Acknowledge the hard work done by many countries to meet the goals of the BPA;
2. Call for renewed commitment from everyone here - the international and regional organizations, governments and NGOs, to continue to work towards achieving the goals of BPA and to reach gender equality. development and peace for the 21st century.
In conclusion, the Cool: Islands Government looks forward to working closely with other members of the international community, both in the United Nations and elsewhere following this Session.
1 wish also to thank the many others who have assisted in one way or another to ensure that the Cook Islands is able to participate fully in this Special Session of the General Assembly.
Kia Orana a Kia Manuia.