To research women’s participation in the workforce, Assistant Director Hirasawa visited Wellington City Council from 23-25 February. Gender equity in New Zealand has been highly rated globally, as they ranked 7th in the Global Gender Gap Report 2013. It is common for New Zealand women to keep working after marriage or birth, encouraged by the modern society as well as Central Government policy.
Hirasawa had five interviews with a New Zealand local government Councillor, an HR Director, two staff members and a lady working in the private sector. Everyone talked about the environment surrounding working women with their experiences. As well, she got the change to interview three people who have experience working in Japan as well as New Zealand, providing helpful comparisons for her research.
Flexible working arrangements have been used widely in New Zealand. For instance, a woman who has just come back to the workforce after giving birth can apply for an arrangement to go home earlier than the close of business. As well, it’s rare for a woman to quit her job when she gets married or gives birth – this is a new concept for Japanese workplaces; also, if it is even implied that she should quit her job at that time, everyone recognises that as discrimination. Both women and men are positively involved in raising children and maintaining a household.
All of this made Hirasawa farther understand why New Zealand ranked so highly in the Human Development Index by the UN and other indicators. She really appreciates the interviewees’ cooperation in assisting with her fieldwork.
Wellington City Council
