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19 June 2001                                                            Press Release No. G/24/2001


ESCAP SAYS CITIES GOVERNED BY WOMEN ARE CLEANER, HEALTHIER FRIENDLIER PLACES TO LIVE

First ever Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors
opens in Phitsanulok, Thailand

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICES (Phitsanulok), 19 June 2001 – If women had an equal share in decision-making in local government, cities in the Asia-Pacific region would be much cleaner, healthier and friendlier places in live in.

The statement was made by Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of the Bangkok-based United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), at the opening ceremony of the first ever Asia Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors. The City of Phitsanulok, headed by Ms. Premrudee Charmpoonod, the longest serving woman mayor in Thailand, is hosting the Summit from 19 to 22 June 2001.

Mr. Kim presented awards to seven women mayors and councillors from China, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand in recognition of their services to communities and for breaking barriers against participation and representation of women in local government.

The awardees included Ms. Hu Juping, Executive Deputy Mayor, Huangshi Municipal Government,  Hubei Province, China, Ms. Rita Bhauguna Joshi, former Mayor, Allahabad Municipal corporation, Uttar Pradesh, India, Ms. Dra Rustriningsih, Mayor, Kebumen Regent, Central Java, Indonesia, Ms. Frana Cardno, Mayor, Southland District, New Zealand, Ms. Gul Noor Bugtti, Councillor, Municipal Corporation, Quetta, Pakistan, Ms. Katherine Gordon, Mayor, Olongapo City Council, Philippines, and Ms. Premrudee, Mayor of Phitsanulok.

According to ESCAP, women in decision-making positions in government provide “transformative leadership” by redefining political priorities, placing new items on the agenda and providing new perspectives on mainstream issues.

“Nowhere in the region, are women equally represented in local government,” Mr. Kim said.

“The conference is the beginning of vital initiatives to significantly increase the number of women in local government. And  the Summit will be followed up by concrete activities in selected countries in the region. ESCAP will take the leadership in making this happen,” said Mr. Kim.

In Asian and Pacific countries where representation is not mandated by quotas women make up between 10 to 15 per cent of elected local government officials in the region.

“Initially I did face some resistance when I began my political career. However now people look at me as a human being doing a public service for the good of all,” said Mayor Premrudee.

Added Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, Minister to the Prime Minister Office in Thailand: “Women in local government are the real fighters. You have to encounter more pressure and obstacles than men in the same position.”

Over 250 participants from 24 countries and territories are addressing issues faced by women in local government. Participants include serving and former women ministers, members of parliament, several permanent secretaries, mayors, councillors and eminent scholars from the region.

The Summit is being organized by ESCAP in collaboration with a wide variety of UN agencies and programmes, non-governmental organizations, and research and training institutes.

For further information please contact in Phitsanulok
Ms. Margaret Hanley, Information Officer
Mr. Yap Kioe Sheng, Chief, Human Settlements Section/ESCAP
Summit Secretariat Office, Amarin Lagoon Hotel, Phitsanulok
Telephone and Fax: (66-55) 253- 021

Telephone interviews may be arranged.


Recipients of ESCAP Awards of Recognition for Outstanding Service and Breaking Barriers
Against Participation in Local Government Ms Premrudee Charmpoonod is the longest serving woman Mayor in Thailand. Her areas of responsibility are to determine policies, to execute municipal activities, respond to issues concerning the Municipal Council and its members according to municipal laws, and function as the voice to Central Government. Additionally, she is the president of the Thailand Municipal League, a member of the Decentralization Working Group, as well as a member of several local Committees and Boards, e.g. the Phitsanulok Women Development Board. Ms Charmpoonod thinks women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues generally differ from those of men, in that women are more careful in city development planning. Women are not only concerned with infrastructure but also value quality of life, health, environment and culture and art. In her view, increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government would have a direct effect on the status of women, as more local women leaders will result in greater acceptance of women. Ms Frana Cardno has a service record in local government of 20 years. Since 1992 she has been the Mayor of the Southland District Council. As Mayor, Frana chairs the Council, attends functions and meetings in many of the small communities in her district and is the voice on community concerns to Central Government. She is also a member of the National Council of Local Government New Zealand, the national voice of local authorities. Additionally, she is Chair of the Regional Identity Southland Trust and is on the Women’s Refuge Trust. Ms Cardno thinks women’s concerns and priorities generally differ from those of men in terms of local government. She believes women pay more attention to the social issues, they are more approachable, have good communication and listening skills and are focused on decision making. In her view, increasing the number of women in local government has a direct effect on the status of women as when she was elected Mayor she was the only woman and now there are 5 women on the Council. She feels that by being there she has helped give other women confidence to stand. Ms Katherine Gordon has a service record in local government of 5 years. At present, she holds the position of Mayor of Olongapo City Council and is affiliated with the Philippine Nacionalista Party. Prior to being elected Mayor, she served 8 years as Congressional Representative for the First District of Zambales. As a Mayor, her areas of responsibility include upholding law and order, and administering social, economic and physical development programmes. Prior to becoming elected Mayor, Ms Gordon served as a Congressional Representative for the First District of Zambales. Ms Gordon thinks women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues generally differ from those of men, in that men tend to see the big picture while women often pay more attention to details and specifics. In her view, increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government would have a direct effect on the status of women, because male chauvinism will lessen with more women in power. Ms Dra Rustriningsih has served ca. one year as Mayor of Kebumen Regent, Central Java and is affiliated with the PDI Perjuangan Party (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle). Her areas of responsibility include managing the local government, ensuring transparent governance, improving the economic conditions for Kebumen Regent residents etc. Prior to becoming Mayor she served two years at the Central House of Representatives. Ms Rustriningsih thinks women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues generally differ from those of men, in that women look at problems with greater humanity and their actions to resolve problems are more flexible and accommodative. In her view increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government would have a direct effect on the status of women, although she also feels the quality factor is more important than the quantity, meaning that women in politics and power must also want to take decisions and seek influence. Ms Hu Juping has a service record in local government of 6 years. At present, she holds the position of Executive Deputy Mayor of Huangshi Municipal Government. She is also a member of the Municipal Party Committee.  Her areas of responsibility encompass a variety of tasks including daily routine work, urban planning, construction and management, systemic reform, high and new tech development zone, politics and laws etc. Additionally, she has a long and impressive record of active involvement in the local Party Committee. Ms Juping does not think that women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues differ from those of men. However, she believes that increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government will have a direct effect on the status of women, as it will help eliminate discrimination and force people to value other people based on merits rather than gender. This will in turn dismantle obstacles and deterrents to women’s comprehensive participation in all aspects of society. Ms Rita Bhauguna has served as the Mayor of Allahabad Municipal Corporation for the past six years and is affiliated with the Indian National Congress Party. Her areas of responsibility are to direct the municipal operation, although her powers are limited, as all administrative and financial powers are vested in the Municipal Commissioner. Additionally, she is a member of several Committees and Boards on Local Government, e.g. the All India Council of Mayors, and the UNDP International Advisory Board of Mayors. She is also the Vice-president of the National Council of Women in India. Ms Joshi thinks women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues generally differ from those of men, in that women are more concerned with children’s education, water and sanitation, and law and order. In her view, increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government would have a direct effect on the status of women, as women will feel more confident and useful to society. With a service record in local government just short of one year, Ms Gul Noor Bugtti holds the position of Councillor of the Municipal Corporation of Quetta and is affiliated with the Central Committee Balochistan National Party. Her areas of responsibility include cleanliness of the city, waste management, sewerage system management, and approval of national-identify card forms. Additionally, she is a Member of several networks, societies and forum, including the All Balochistan Political Women’s Forum, and is currently working as the Women’s Empowerment Coordinator FPAP. Ms Bugtti thinks women’s concerns and priorities about urban local government and urban issues generally differ from those of men, in that women are assigned training and vocational issues, while men focus on infrastructure and the likes. In her view, increasing the number of women representatives and officials in urban local government would have a direct effect on the status of women, as more women’s issues will be raised and women Councillors will gain self-esteem and confidence.

                                                                                 -- UNIS --