Speech: Hon Tariana Turia International Women's Day Symposium, Strong Women: Strong World

I want to thank the organisers of today – the Hamilton City Council, Pukete Neighbourhood House, the Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Centre and Chapel Hill Church, for inviting me to this workshop.

 

I was hoping to be able to come to you today, and announce that the surprise political figurehead to take on Dancing with the Stars 2009, was none other than myself.

 

But the call never came.

 

Apparently the only floor I’m going to cross is the one in the Beehive.

 

Instead actors Geraldine Brophy and Rebecca Hobbs; Black Sticks captain Lizzy Igasan, and Olympic gold medallist Barbara Kendall, are the lucky ones that have been selected to dance the light fandango this year.

 

I have to admit to having a secret fascination with the dancing stars – and seeing these incredible women transform from being experts in one field to cha cha girls in another.

 

And it makes me think about that comment – remember Ginger Rogers did every thing that Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.

 

And isn’t that just the perfect metaphor for thinking about women as we lead into International Women’s Day on March 8.

 

It is a well known fact that women have to work longer, harder, and stronger just to be visible.

 

At the most base level – that of dollars and cents:

 

· In the June 2008 quarter, women’s median hourly earnings were $17.50 compared to $20 for men;

 

· And for Pakeha women their median hourly earnings at $18.22 were significantly higher than both Maori and Pasifika women ($15.15 and $14.74 respectively).

 

And while we’re doing our jobs – backwards and in high heels – we’re also taking on the role of counsellor, caterer, budget manager, conciliator, referee, advocate, teacher, mentor, cleaner, and so much more.

 

That is what we mean by strong women.

 

I was at a health hui in Ohakune the other day, and one of the few men there stood and said, ‘if you educate a man you educate an individual – educate a woman and you educate a community’.

 

While we all had a laugh, when I looked around the marae, it was almost all women there – as providers, as kuia, as carers, as managers, as participants.

 

This is one of our strengths as women – our capacity to take on the world, to juggle many balls at once, to multi-task. Sometimes it takes a superhuman strength to fulfil work commitments, while at the same time contributing to social wellbeing.

 

One of my most passionate philosophies has been about how to create an environment that allows women and men the opportunity to better balance their work and caring responsibilities.

 

My life has been driven by what we call, whanau ora.

 

Wh
nau ora is about holistic health; the connection between one’s spiritual wellbeing and cultural identity; the capacity to live by our traditional values and beliefs. It is about maintaining the essence of who we are, no matter what.

 

And to do that, we need to ensure all parts are integrated; the tenors and basses singing alongside the altos and sopranos; the harmonies heard above the melodies.

 

To achieve whanau ora, we need to have the choices in place so that all members of whanau are truly able to choose what works best for them.

 

That might mean the offices are child-friendly; the staff have the flexibility of knowing that family comes first.

 

If I think of my own whanau, two of my mokopuna come into work each day with me and we catch up over breakfast; and I’ve even been known to take some time out in the day to catch a touch game or take my baby swimming.

 

It’s the essence of life – the basis of our wellness.

A woman’s strength is also about having the fortitude to stand up in the face of moral or social pressure, to do what we know is right.

 

I read a quote by Marge Piercy which I just loved: A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done.”

 

I am sure we all have instances of that – and maybe we will get a chance today, to share some of our experiences; to celebrate our courage and our cheek; to recognize we have made a difference.

 

As we reflect on all of the achievements and successes women have made – I want to also challenge us to think how we can use our strength to support other women who may be in traumatic situations; or facing pressures that they are unable to withstand.

 

Over the last year, as with every year, the media has highlighted examples of women in shame; women to blame; women whom for whatever reason have been unable to cope with life’s challenges.

 

I always ask myself – what could I have done to extend the hand of understanding to these women?

 

One only needs to look at those who reside in our prisons or our psychiatric institutions to realize the traumatic impact of childhood incidents, particularly the effects of sexual abuse.

 

How can we nurture, nourish, protect and care for these women, while also holding the safety of children paramount?

 

We have to find better ways of achieving peace in our community, than removing children from the care of their parents; locking women up; and then subjecting them to the judgments and the prohibitions which mean they never get the chance for restoration.

 

I was extremely moved the other day, to be approached by a young woman whose son was terminally ill – and to realize just how alone she felt.

 

And that really made me wonder about our collective strength – our responsibility to each other, to care and to invest in the wellbeing of the community.

 

The concept of feeling cut adrift from the world, is an experience that disabled women have shared with me, and women caring for disabled members of their family. Sometimes those who love us most, feel a helplessness when life situations change – and seek to withdraw or stay away, rather than deal with the discomfort of change.

 

And that again, is where our strength as women must come to the fore. We must be able to recognize that when we empower women to grow, we secure a brighter future for everyone.

 

Everyone means that women’s strength is the strength of all women – that Maori women, Pasifika women, migrant and refugee women, all benefit from the opportunity to thrive alongside Pakeha women, Asian women and other ethnic communities.

 

 

 

 

 

Days like today are an excellent opportunity for us all support each other, to honour each other, and to spur each other on into being bold and innovative – to get out there and make a noise.

 

That’s what whanau ora is all about – treasuring the unique contribution we each make while recognizing the greatest outcome is in our collective strength.

 

I met with a group of women from Refuge yesterday who told me that if your focus is violence, you only see the violence. They are trying to shift the focus to look at the strengths; to build on our incredible talents; and to uplift everyone in that vision.

 

It is a vision that I think we can all learn from, on this a day to cherish the strong women in our lives, who make up such a strong world.

 

I would say – go forth and multiply – but the papers would probably think I’m encouraging reckless breeding.

 

So instead I say to you all, kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.

 

Stay strong, be focused, and keep dancing.