VP Issues Update
- Siobhan BPW NZ
- Apr 17, 2024
- 2 min read
April 2024
Kia ora koutou,
As our AGM date arrives closer, I am more and more excited to meet again with members and discuss the business of BPW NZ. Part of this is our important resolutions work and there has been a lot of work in the background among clubs, including Individual Members, to discuss the resolutions in front of us, decide how to vote, and propose and consider amendments. So, what are our external resolutions this year?
Vaping Controls
Access to Reproductive and Sexual Health Services for International Students
Hospice Funding
Professional Apprenticeships for Health Professionals
Climate Crisis Community Resilience Strategy
Enduring Powers of Attorney
Ending Online Harm
As you can see, we cover a cross-section of issues that impact women and I am looking forward to hearing more about the rationale behind these resolutions and discussing them with members. It is an eye-opening part of our AGM and guests and all members are encouraged to come along - you can register as an observer online here.
Last month we provided a written submission on Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill. Mental health challenges hit many New Zealand women and households hard. BPW NZ policy represents the experiences of our women and covers over sixty-five years of general healthcare, mental health and wellbeing advocacy. Click here to take a look at the written submission which includes our policy. Our written submission was quickly followed by an oral submission last week and thank-you to Life Member Dianne Glenn for co-presenting with me to the Health Committee (no thanks to a rude interruption from my four-year-old that the committee was very understanding about). I am hoping to see a change to the bill that the Mental Health Strategy the bill calls for must include wide consultation with community groups.
One final note, if you or someone you know may be seeking mental health support, first speak to your GP but also The Mental Health Foundation offers a database of free support groups available without a referral: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups
Go well, and I hope to see you at our AGM soon.
Ngā mihi nui,
Siobhan