Nov 52 min read

President's Update

Tena koutou katoa

As I pen this month’s article, I am also preparing for travel to the BPW International Congress in St Kitts from 17 th to 21 st November. Some of our delegates are already enroute yet still working online attending zoom meetings and answering emails. This is the way of the world now as we can work globally and be in touch instantly. Our December message will contain all the interesting and exciting updates I expect will come from Congress.

The past few weeks have been busy. I attended the 20 th birthday celebration for BPW Doubtless Bay and a few days later with IPP Christine was at the White Camellia Awards at the Beehive in Wellington. The UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Committee welcomed distinguished signatories and supporters, whose unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment came through in the entries to the awards.

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of Principles offering guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development

Goals.

The WEPs committee is made up from members of UN Women, Zonta, Human Right’s Commission and BPW NZ. Our representatives are myself, PP Angela McLeod and IPP Christine Berridge. We were privileged to present awards on the night and IPP Christine was also one of the judges.

Winners were:

Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality - BNZ

Principle 2: Treat all people fairly at work – respect and support human rights and

non-discrimination - Portia

Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women and men workers - Portia

Principle 4: Promote education, training, and professional development for women - KPMG

Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that

empower women - Portia

Principle 6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy - KPMG

Principle 7: Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality - KPMG

Small to Medium business special recognition: Zespri and Webb Farry

Small to Medium business winner: Portia

Supporter Winner: New Zealand Defence Force

Supreme Winner: Home

Honey Hireme-Smiler MNZM was a fantastic MC for the evening, and we heard from Minister for Women, Hon Nicola Grigg with an insightful keynote address.

I will continue to deliver my highest value through compelling influence.

Nga Mihi nui

President Janet

WEPS Committee Members Winners White Camellia Awards 2024

Christine Berridge, Janet Gibb & Angela McLeod