YWCA Logo Young Women YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand

Social & Economic Justice

HEADLINES

YWCA Congratulates Parliament for passing the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill.

Read about the youth labour movement's fight to increase minimum wage click here

For more information on women's issues in the Pacific region click here

To read the World YWCA's Common Concern edition on Gender and Trade Liberalisation click here

Updated DIY resource available now

Social & Economic Justice

Human Rights image

Social and economic justice are a key focus of the YWCA, as we acknowledge that they go hand in hand with gender equality.  We endeavour to represent the human rights and social justice interests of women at the global, regional and national level.  This involves advocating for women's and youth issues to be on the forefront of development within the region and lobbying the New Zealand government on women's and youth's economic and human rights here in Aotearoa.  We have developed our DIY resource to outline how youth can become politically and socially involved in creating a more just world.

We do this work by uniting our voices with important organisations like CID the Council for International Development, NZCTU the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the Global Education Centre and many others.

FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS - GOOD FOR EVERYONE

The YWCA of Aotearoa NZ would like to congratulate Paliament on passing the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill. The Bill, sponsored by Green MP Sue Kedgley, gives employees with caring responsibilities the right to seek to vary their hours or place of work, and imposes a legal duty on employers to try to accommodate any such request.  The Bill passed on 21 November 2007 ( with only ACT and National opposing the move) after a successful consulation process by the Department of Labour and a campaign by the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work.

As part of our commitment to economic justice the Y is a strong advocate for worker's rights.  We were a major proponent for the Paid Parental Leave legislation and in 2006/2007 were part of the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work, a coalition of community groups promoting the legislation to provide the right to request flexible working hours for all employees. 

To find out the outcomes of the Department of Labour consultation click here

Youth Vote Public Meeting

The YWCA of Aotearoa NZ,  NZAAHD & Save the Children New Zealand recently held a public forum on the issues that surround the question of lowering the voting age.  We had a speakers panel of Dr Cindy Kiro (Children’s Commissioner), Dr Fiona Beals (Lecturer, Vic Uni), Sonny Thomas (Young person), and Zack Dorner (Young Green) and a great turn out of a mixture of the young and young at heart at Zeal in Wellington to discuss the issues.  The fabulous MC Rod Baxter from BGI facilitated the discussion and many important wider issues around how society views youth were raised.

Youth Vote MeetingCindy Kiro, Children's Commissioner speakes at the event

The event was held on the anniversary of NZ women being given the vote. NZ was the first country to allow women to vote on 19 September 1893 and the similarities between the campaigns was apparent.  It was clear from the event that further discussion and information sharing is essential.  If you are interested in holding a similar event in your local community feel free to get in touch on info@ywca.org.nz and we can share with you the process we went through.

To read a Frequently Asked Questions pamphlet prepared by the Greens click here

 

 

 

Top Top

LogoIntranet | Site Map | Web Administrator | Email Us | ©2006 YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand