Prominent woman to promote gender equality at Rotorua event

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner with the Human Rights Commission, Dr Jackie Blue will speak at the event in Rotorua. Photo/Supplied

An event promoting gender equality in business through the UN Women's Empowerment Principles is being held in Rotorua next week.

UN Women's Empowerment Principles is an initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact encouraging businesses to incorporate the seven principles in business policy and practice to promote gender equity and empower women to participate fully economically.

The event will be hosted by the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and the Zonta Club of Rotorua with chairwoman of the NZ UN Women's Empowerment Principles committee, Vicky Mee presenting certificates to two new signatories in Rotorua, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and the Rotorua Lakes Council.

Wellington Economist and Chair of Transparency International, Suzanne Snively. Photo/Supplied

Wellington economist and chairwoman of Transparency International, Suzanne Snively will give an historical background to gender equity and domestic violence in New Zealand and discuss a way forward for workplace protection of victims of domestic violence.

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner with the Human Rights Commission, Dr Jackie Blue will discuss government policies and the Domestic Violence Victim's Protection Bill which is before parliament.

ANZ performance and delivery manager, retail and business banking, northern region, Nikki Skedgwell will discuss the ANZ experience as a signatory of Women's Empowerment Principles.

The New Zealand committee is a partnership of UN Women, Human Rights Commission, Diversity Works NZ, Federation of Business and Professional Women, and Zonta International District 16 working together to promote the principles and support businesses.

UN Women's Empowerment Principles was launched in New Zealand in 2012 with over fifty signatories, and 1400 signatories globally.

The event will be at the Novotel on Thursday March 30 at 5.30pm. with registration through the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce website http://www.rotoruachamber.co.nz/events-training/events/