Women’s Affairs minister to speak at Gisborne's BPW dinner

DINNER GUEST: Minister of Women's Affairs Jan Tinetti will be the guest speaker at the August dinner meeting of Gisborne Business and Professional Women's Club. BoP Times picture

Ways to solve the gender pay gap will be on the menu at Gisborne's The Vines restaurant next week.

Gisborne Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) is hosting Cabinet Minister Jan Tinetti at its August dinner meeting.

Ms Tinetti is the Minister of Internal Affairs and Associate Minister of Education but it is her third portfolio that is of particular interest to the BPW Club — Minister of Women's Affairs.

Gisborne BPW president Fiona Evans said the suggestion from a club member about inviting the Minister to Gisborne came at a time when BPW was discussing issues around the “frustratingly” slow movement on closing the pay equity gap for women.

“We were motivated to hear what the minister would say, though not all that confident she would accept our invitation.

“It's great that she is coming.”

BPW was started in America in 1930 by Lena Madesin Phillips and grew to international status through the next 92 years, including the establishment of the Gisborne club in 1957.

The intention of the organisation is to provide a voice and advocate for women and girls locally, nationally and globally.

“With one of the aims of BPW to encourage members to take advantage of leadership opportunities, it is fitting that Minister Tinetti has been asked to speak on women in leadership roles,” Ms Evans said.

“In addition she will speak on gender diversity and the gender pay gap for women. With a speaking time of up to 20 minutes, it is possible the minister will raise another current issue around misogynistic abuse against women in public office, something the minister has personally experienced since standing for Parliament in 2020.

“Ms Tinetti said it was her responsibility as Minister for Women to challenge this behaviour and help create a safer environment for women.

“We feel having the Minister of Women's Affairs to speak to us fits perfectly with many of the aims of our organisation,” Ms Evans said.

Anyone — including men — is welcome to the dinner meeting on Tuesday, August 2, but reservations are essential.

For more information and to secure your spot, contact bpwgisborne@gmail.com by tomorrow.