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    • President's Message
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    • A tribute to the PPSEAWA leaders:
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    • Strengthen Yourself Before You Can Strengthen Others
    • HIV and Infant Feeding
    • PPSEAWA's Associations at a Glance
    • Conference Recommendations Towards the Formulation of a PPSEAWA International Plan of Action
    • Observations of a First-Time Conference Participant
    • Dr. Rimay Salah of UNICEF
    • Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges & Opportunities in the 21st Century
    • PPSEAWA's 20th International Strengthening Alliances for a Better World Toward the 21st Century
    • Collective Economic Action for Women
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    • ...and now to the Cook Islands
  • Spring 1997
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International Bulletin - Fall 1997

PPSEAWA's Associations at a Glance

At the 20th International Conference in Kuala Lumper, the various member countries of PPSEAWA presented excellent reports on their very productive years since the last conference in Tonga. What was apparent from these reports was the vitality of the associations, the commitment of their members, and their ability to view the world with all its strengths and problems. whether they were living in large, developed countries or remote places which had far less access to daily life away from where they were living.

In all cases there is a wide swing of possibility and probability. However, the women of PPSEAWA are an active and resolute group. They have learned the techniques needed to pressure governmental and community groups to answer to them in a positive manner. They have utilized every bit of information available to them and have shared generously with the women and their families who are anxious to make the world a better place.

Problems abound. Very often they are the same problems manifesting themselves differently from country to country, but all fiundamental to the struggle for better opportunities and understanding for creating a more optimistic future. PPSEAWA-ites are not deluding themselves about the struggles ahead Rather they are arming themselves with information, with technology where possible, and with urgent planning to reach out to the generations to come. All the groups talk about the youth they hope to reach, but understand very well the models they must set up for young ones who will be the wave of the future.

Malaysia

A new chapter is underway in Penang, reaching out to additional members. They have attended the Beijing Conference and many regional meetings dealing with Population and Development; The Family and Health; the Environment; Teenagers; Educational Initiatives, CEDAW; Implementation of the Beijing Platform. Malaysia has created handbooks and has held programs to spread important information They have instituted a Homepage on the Internet and have networked extensively with other organizations both locally and within the Asian area.

Australia

Australia now has 7 local branches. They have sponsored conferences dealing with Changing Relationships Among Asian and Pacific Women, Women and Poverty, A Life Worth Living, Participation Across Cultures, Women and Indigenous Communities. They have given study grants and donations to medical facilities. They are actively networking with other NGO's, particularly in the areas of assistance and development. They are especially interested now in increasing the role of women in local, state, and federal governance; Cooperation for Peace; and mobilizing Resources for Women in Difficult Circumstances.

Cook Islands

They have established as their goal positive parenting toward achieving a better life for all children now and in the future. They have created a four part video program called, Growing in Peace. These videos aim to educate parents about how to care for and develop children's health and inform pregnant women and their partners about their responsibilities. Some of the topics concern conception, ante natal care, breastfeeding, post-partum depression, nurturing, and nutrition, A Youth Forum, All About You, was held to inspire the direction and decision making skills of young people and to develop their self-esteem. A program with the library and museum aims to inspire young people to read and to take positive steps toward peace.

Fiji

Fiji PPSEAWA works closely with the National Council of Women, sharing the leadership role with the Girl Guides, the largest group of Indian women and the Fiji Council of Social Services. They were leaders in coordinating the Pacific Four Nation Environment Workshops which were held in Fiji, Tonga, Western, and American Samoa. They are involved in creating women's micro-enterprises. They seek to involve more women in government, to promote a stable environment, to change laws unfavorable to women. They are concerned with Sexual Health, Mental Health, and the Eradication of Women's Poverty. Their hope is to mobilize multi-resources for women and children.

Hawaii

Hawaii is pleased that the official incorporation of International PPSEAWA has been accomplished in Hawaii, where the organization was born. Their active program included many meetings covering diverse topics - e.g., Building Relationships Among the Nations of the Pacific, Race and Cultural Prejudice, Oral History, The Power of a Woman's Vote, and topics more specific to Hawaii They have continued two grants to students at the University and to work with children needing medical care. They had a workshop for teenagers dealing with relationships, problem solving, and promoting interactive cooperation.

India

The All India Conference, through its 500 branches and membership of over 1,000,000, carries on a number of projects for women and children. Among these are a literacy program for high school drop outs and skill and development programs to generate income for youths and adult women. They have established a Family Counseling Center and a Computer Training Center with computers and instructors available. Some of their regular programs include workshops on Health and Sanitation, Rural Energy and Environment Awareness, Family Health HIV/AIDS, and Microcredit. They have attended conferences and seminars such as the Habitat Forum, World Food Summit, and the International Alliance of Women.

Indonesia

With 16 chapters and 3,000 members, this large association has had effective campaigns for the elderly, programs on Child Development, Implementing Income, Women in Politics, Cadre Training, Vocational Training for Self Employment, and HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education. For 1997-1999 they will focus on Credit Cooperation Promotion, Child Protection and Development Employment Creation, Legal Literacy, and Aid They are working to augment cooperation with other women's organizations and government groups and to place women in positions of authority on all levels of government and within the UN, so that issues can be identified that will be addressed locally and world wide.

Japan

With a membership of 381 and chapters in Tokyo, Kyoto and Aiichi, PPSEAWA Japan is conducting many programs and projects from their new offices. They have established a real presence in UN-connected iniatives, are active in UNIFEM, and support their President who chairs the committee of the NGO's in Japan. One of their members continues to be invited to be part of the Japanese delegation to the General Assembly. Locally they work with Foster Plan, aiding children in Asian countries. In addition there is still an active scholarship program which has awarded monies to 34 students since 1988.

Korea

PPSEAWA Korea has taken an active role in carrying out their government's National Plan of Action which established 10 policy priorities regarding women in response to the Beijing Conference. Among these are a Women's Development Act which provides greater gender equality in institutional and financial support for women's advancement. A 20% target for recruitment of women into public service has been set up and a women's information center has been established with ESCAP. They are working on a 4 year literacy program for women. Workshops on globalization; morality; women's role in globalization have also been held. PPSEAWA Korea has also joined in a food campaign for North Korea.

New Zealand

They work closely with the National Council of Women in New Zealand and had an important role in their centennial celebration. Participants attended the South Pacific Seminar held in Auckland with 14 Pacific countries present. They have been active with the UN Association of New Zealand and were represented at the 50th Anniversary of the UN in Wellington. They have been active in creating the New Horizons for Women Trust and have sponsored students in Fiji, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. They have helped establish a New Friends of the Pacific Education Trust to assist the International Reading Association to develop a reading program in Oceania. They have also worked with New Zealand doctors and have initiated courses in Midwifery and Women's Health.

Pakistan

PPSEAWA works with and throughout the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) which cooperates also with the International Council of Women, the International Alliance of Women, the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the World Assembly of Youth. APWA has established a strong network of service centers which meet many needs. They have held seminars and workshops dealing with schools; Arts, Science and Home Economics Colleges; Vocational Training; Medical Services; Adult Education; Rural Life; Day Care and Cottage Industries.

Philippines

As a follow-up to the Tonga conference, PPSEAWA-Philippines held a cultural congress on Women's Issues. They have been involved in welfare projects visiting soldiers who were victims of war shock, the charity ward of Quezon City General Hospital where food and clothing were distributed, and typhoon victims. They have spearheaded the International Women's Day Celebration with cultural activities and civic parades. They have also given leadership training to the wives of elected officials and have sponsored conferences for youth. One big project was Clean and Green, which emphasizes the beautification of highways.

Republic of China, Taiwan

Many speakers at the active programs of PPSEAWA ROC have addressed topics like the Inportance of Ecology to Families. Following their well prepared attendance at the Beijing conference they held meetings dealing with Changing Roles of Women; the Welfare of Children; Face to Face with the dissolving of Marriage and Family Today; Women, Policy and National Development. Visits were made to Military Hospital 807 to help the wounded. Members participated in a group of 1800 other women singing for the theme of "Forever Smile and Forever Love."

Samoa

By a recent act of Parliament the name of the country has been changed and now and evermore is Samoa. PPSEAWA Samoa's priority concerns center around gender equality and more women in responsible government. A number of conferences, workshops and activities including Environmental Education for Women; Nuclear Free Pacific Activities where protest rallies were held; Women the Family and Health Workshop following the International Council meeting; and Youth Workshops in Basic Coping Skills, held in collaboration with Mapusaga-o-aiga, an NGO concerned with domestic violence, have all provided wide interest. PPSEAWA Samoa vows to continue to grow and work constructively.

American Samoa

Bringing PPSEAWA back from what appeared to be its certain demise in American Samoa involved super human energy and overcoming great adversity. At one point membership was down to one person, but Mrs. Howland was able to recruit 12 women who helped with a membership drive that enlisted 20 new members. Many governmental agencies and other NGO's like the Red Cross and Pago Pago Youth and the Yachties Group helped. PPSEAWA has adopted Malaloa Park and is maintaining the park and supervising plantings. In addition there have been several programs. A one-day Youth Meeting on Family and Health was very successful. The struggle to stay alive continues with hope and determination and great respect for PPSEAWA's history.

Singapore

The Singapore Council of Women's Organizations represents 42 organizations with approximately 100,000 members. It is involved with the entire regional working area and collaborates with ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organizations and the ASEAN Women's Program. SCOW has published a handbook on marriage, are on the world wide web and have undertaken a comprehensive group of public presentations in a series entitled "Know Your Health." They have sports programs and all sorts of empowerment iniatives. They have leased, with government help, land for a SCOW Center and are actively seeking funds for a well thought-out program utilizing the skills they have developed in their many careers. They are also establishing an income-generating arm to fund their programs dealing with violence, education, aging and women in governance for a better world.

Thailand

A membership of 900 includes both business and professional women and homemakers. They are concentrating on a Rural Development Project which is directed toward raising the living standard of villagers through daycare centers to free parents for farm work. There are 50 centers serving 1500 children. They are also addressing the important role of fathers and problems of teenagers. Another major iniative deals with education, with both a literary project and an Asian Pacific Studies Project. There is a Youth Development Project to assist young people from poor or broken families. There are scholarship iniatives; non-formal vocational training; programs dealing with the environment and development. There have been many fund-raising innovations and considerable sharing of programs with other organizations.

Tonga

Following the 1994 conference in Tonga, PPSEAWA members began to institute action on specific items. One of these was the improvement of maternity services and another encouraged public health workers' efforts concerning AIDS, STD's and Typhoid. A scholarship fund made it possible for six students to finish high school. A Handicraft Council was organized to encourage the making of quality handicrafts. PPSEAWA also organized a five day seminar for vendors at the New Talamahu Market to help them to improve preparation of their produce and practice proper sanitary care. A highlight was a seminar titled "A Life Worth Living" which it was agreed by all is "A Life Worth Loving."

United States

Currently there are 7 chapters with a membership of 325. The newer chapters are Los Angeles and New Jersey (Philadelphia area). Los Angeles has already initiated its first project - an Asia/Pacific e-mail network. In addition, PPSEAWA-USA has established a home page on the World Wide Web and is receiving many requests for information. Various chapters have individual projects and programs. Toledo, Chicago and Minnesota all have scholarship programs and have reached out to newly arrived immigrants. The New York chapter maintains close contacts at the UN and with the representatives there. They have given financial aid to countries in PPSEAWA's area of interest. In addition, PPSEAWA-USA edits and publishes both the US and the International Bulletin.

Last Modified: June 05, 2010