Female mayors make Asian cities nicer: UN<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (AFP): Cities in the Asia Pacific region would be
\ncleaner, healthier and friendlier places to live if women had a
\nbigger role in running local governments, the United Nations said
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
\n(UN-ESCAP) executive secretary Kim Hak-Su said women decision-
\nmakers brought forward fresh perspectives and redefined political
\npriorities.<\/p>\n
Kim awarded seven women mayors and councillors from China,
\nIndia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines and
\nThailand for helping to smash the gender barrier in local
\npolitics.<\/p>\n
The awards were given at the first Asia Pacific Summit of
\nWomen Mayors and Councillors hosted by Thailand's longest-serving
\nwoman mayor, Premrudee Charmpoonod, in the northern Thai city of
\nPhitsanulok.<\/p>\n
Although municipal stewardship by women made for better places
\nto live, there are few places in the region where they have been
\ngiven a chance to lead.<\/p>\n
\"Nowhere in the region are women equally represented in local
\ngovernment,\" Kim said in a statement.<\/p>\n
In Asia Pacific countries where equal representation is not
\nmandated by quotas, women make up between 10 and 15 percent of
\nelected local government officials in the region, the UN said.<\/p>\n
The conference from June 19 to 22 is intended to significantly
\nincrease the number of women in local government, with follow-up
\nactivities in selected countries to push for change, Kim added.<\/p>\n
Two Thai women who have made strides in government said women
\nhad to cope with more interference than men in similar positions.<\/p>\n
\"Initially I did face some resistance when I began my
\npolitical career,\" said Phitsanulok Mayor Premrudee. \"However,
\nnow people look at me as a human being doing a public service for
\nthe good of all.\"<\/p>\n
Another successful Thai woman politician, Krasae Chanawongse,
\nminister to the prime minister's office, said \"women in local
\ngovernment are the real fighters. You have to encounter more
\npressure and obstacles than men in the same position.\"<\/p>\n
Some 250 people from 24 countries, including current and
\nformer women ministers and members of parliament, are taking part
\nin the UN summit organized by UN-ESCAP and other agencies.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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