SUVA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- More than 200 participants from 21 Pacific countries have been meeting here over the past three days, to discuss the economic standing of 4.5 million women and girls across the greater Pacific region.
Even though women made up half of the region's population, they continued to be economically underrepresented due to discriminatory laws, and the social and cultural norms which place unrealistic expectations on women's responsibilities for home and family care, according to a statement released by the Pacific Community (SPC) office in Suva on Thursday.
The 13th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women concluded on Wednesday but gender issues will continue to be in focus as the 6th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women that opened Wednesday evening continues here on Thursday.
Over the three days of meetings, government officials and civil society representatives discussed the continuing challenges of closing the economic gender gap, increasing women's job opportunities and breaking down the barriers that hold women from fully contributing to the Pacific economy.
High level delegates at the event included President of the Republic of Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, Vice President of Kiribati Kourabi Nenem, Fijian Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls Sharman Stone and Director General of the Pacific Community Colin Tukuitonga.
In her opening address, Heine emphasized the direct connection between the economic empowerment and Pacific resilience.
"Where women are able to achieve their economic potential, economies grow and societies prosper, families are wealthier, and more resilient to adverse economic situations. We must show courage and strength and promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment in everything that we do, because if we do not, what do we tell our women, our daughters, our mothers, our aunts and nieces in the remote communities," said Heine.
