Prime Minister Gillard

The Hague, 24^th June 2010

Congratulations

We hope that the appointment of Prime Minister Gillard will mark a new phase in which Australia’s contribution to

international development cooperation and gender policy becomes even stronger.

On the appointment of the first woman Prime Minister in Australia

Gender Concerns International sends Flowers to Ambassador Lydia Morton of Australia

Earlier this afternoon, Gender Concerns International sent its warm congratulations to the Hon Julia Gillard MP on the historic occasion of her becoming Australia’s first woman Prime Minister. Flowers were sent to the Ambassador Morton of Australia in order to express symbolic support for women’s political involvement at all levels.

In an accompanying letter, director Sabra Bano stated that “as an organisation working to promote women’s rights, and their political and economic empowerment, we are greatly encouraged to see a woman in such a significant leadership role, and the added potential this brings to advocate for women’s rights”. Bano further expressed her hope that the appointment of Prime Minister Gillard will mark a new phase in which Australia’s contribution to international development cooperation and gender policy becomes even stronger.

Referring to Gender Concerns International’s Flowers for Peace campaign (www.flowersforpeace.eu) which promotes women’s participation in peace and security processes in conflict zones, the letter pointed to its campaign’s current emphasis on Afghanistan and the region, where it is crucial that women’s voices and visions are given prominence and they are enabled to participate in consultative mechanisms and decision making structures. Bano added that, “we are confident that the appointment of Prime Minister Gillard will help bring a much stronger emphasis on gender perspectives at the international level, especially at the forthcoming Kabul Conference in July”. End.

For further information please contact:

Gender Concerns International

Phone: 00 31 (070) 4445082 Mobile: 06 53965784
Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN, The Hague
Email: Sbano@genderconcerns.nl Site: www.genderconcerns.nl