Rita Beckmannflay is running, as an independent, for the electorate seat of Waitakere. Her response to our survey follows, and here's an index of all the responses to date. Rita is the only independent to respond so far.
Dear Julie,
These questions have been very timely for me because I am still in the process of completing what my thoughts are in regards to Women’s Issues to be placed under “Issues” on my campaign website.
The questions have highlighted some very important points that throughout my life’s experience have arisen time and time again, that is coming from a family upbringing with violence in the home, growing up with one parent only to become a single parent and somehow continue working to enable myself and my child to be living comfortably and not on or below the poverty line.
Here are my answers;
Question 1. What do you believe is currently the single biggest issue facing New Zealand women, and how would you like to address it if you are elected?
The single biggest issue facing New Zealand women today is low self esteem or low sense of self worth.
For this issue to be addressed (like anything in life that has worth) is a process and an understanding that process takes time, time to accept responsibility for our lives and the decisions we make, a time to listen and learn from other women’s experiences, a time to allow ourselves to heal, and a time to make a positive stand.
In a perfect world the process of one building a positive, healthy self esteem begins at home. As a baby/infant right through to young adulthood we should be given positive affirmation of who we are, nurtured and loved by (ideally) two parents, but we all know this is not a perfect world and as women we are often trying to fill in the gaping holes that have been left by inadequate or no parenting.
A practical measure would be to encourage women in the community who have experienced what it is to be a victim of domestic violence, single parenthood, sexual abuse etc., to enable them to become trained and receive a NZQA qualification, then by way of bond return to their communities so they can in turn, reach out to others experiencing similar hardship. Their own personal experiences will enable them to show empathy and compassion without judgement. I believe this process will build and solidify their self esteem and sense of self worth.
Another positive action is; choose your friends wisely, surround yourself with people who love and accept you, support and encourage you. This will certainly build a sense of belonging and self worth.
Question 2. New Zealand women are paid, on average, over $300 a week less than men, and the difference is worse for Maori and Pacific Island women. What do you propose as a first step towards closing the gender pay gap?
As a Maori working woman today, I have never questioned what my colleagues are getting in their pay packet or whether they are male/female, European or not.
Finding employment that brings me job and pay satisfaction is my own responsibility. I can choose to upskill which will enhance my ability to find a higher paying salary but does not guarantee getting one. I believe that knowing your own worth will attract the right employee with the right job and salary. When I go for a job interview I see my prospective employee not only as them choosing me but also about me choosing them. I ask myself some key questions like; will working for this company allow me to remain true to myself? Do they portray fairness in the work place? Does the salary reflect the job description?
If you do not feel you are being paid what you know you are worth, than look for another job where they do recognize your abilities and reward you for them.
A first step toward closing the gender pay gap is; recognize that we are all individuals and each one of us unique in what our gift or talents are. As a child we will have dreamed of who we would like to be when we grow up, it is our responsibility to try and fulfill our dream otherwise we will never feel we have accomplished anything in our lives. To enable us to accomplish our dreams we need a healthy self esteem, and belief in oneself.
Question 3. Do you think NZ's current approach to reproductive rights (abortion, contraception etc) is correct? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
If not, what changes would you want to make?
No;
I believe parent/s should be given the option of being there to support their child throughout the decision making process of issues like contraception, abortion etc.
The policy in some secondary school’s is; if a 16 year old plus female feels she may be pregnant she is able to be referred to an external doctor without the parent/s knowledge or consent. This means if they are given a contraceptive pill (morning after pill), they are responsible for taking it and any side effects that may follow. The information handed to them while at the doctors’ states that the taking of the morning after pill will not cause infertility but gives no real evidence to support that statement. What a huge responsibility for a young person to make when it could be a life altering decision (literally), especially in a pressure situation.
I would like see a clear definition of when a parent is no longer responsible for their child.
An example of where the boundaries are confusing or show a double standard is; where a young female is responsible for her own choice; that is contraception and abortion etc, without parent consent, but when a single young person chooses to enter tertiary education they are means tested against their parent/s income for the student allowance.
Question 4. The police and the courts do not work in preventing violence against women. What other government actions would you take to ensure women can live without fear?
My answer to Question 1, I believe would aid in ensuring women live without fear, because it is about taking ownership and restoring one’s belief in self.
A practical action could be to involve the community because violence touches all of us in some way. If we reach out to those who fear for their lives and encourage them to come to a community facility where they feel safe with staff who are NZQA qualified and have come from similar situations, I believe we will help prevent further abuse (in whatever forms abuse comes) and we will aid in preventing further deaths. (See www.rita.org.nz under “Issues” for Security/Feeling Safe in our Community)
… “It takes people and community to stop abuse”.
Question 5. Those who do the caring work in our society, paid and unpaid, are often the least recognized and the lowest paid, and they work the longest hours. What do you see as the priority to address these issues for those caring for our sick, our elderly and our children?
I am responsible for the choices I make and therefore if I chose to stay home and look after my child/ren then I reap the rewards. The rewards far exceed monetary gain. There is no shame in being an at home Mum or Dad. Some may chose to return to work and place their child in daycare, which is also okay.
To provide a safe and caring environment for our children, elderly and sick, it is important that all prospective caregivers be vetted and there must be an understanding of their responsibility to the vulnerable and the community in which they work.
To attract or retain excellent Caregivers wages must be competitive to encourage a sense of value and a desire to stay.
Question 6. The Ministry of Health has recently launched a campaign to encourage breastfeeding and is now recommending that babies be breastfeed to at least one year old. What do you think the government could do to ensure that every woman who wants to breast feed can?
Again, this is about choice. If you choose to breastfeed take ownership of it. You can be discreet and learn to gauge each situation as it arises. I believe you create your own environment and people tend to follow what you portray. Being confident comes with knowing your worth.
The Government does not need to be involved. Leave the parenting to the parent.
Question 7. What single measure do you think our political organizations could take to better encourage young women to be involved and take on leadership positions in our communities?
As per my answer to Question 1.
A practical measure would be to encourage women in the community who have experienced what it is to be a victim of domestic violence, single parenthood, sexual abuse etc., to enable them to become trained and receive a NZQA qualification, then by way of bond return to their communities so they can in turn, reach out to others experiencing similar hardship. Their own personal experiences will enable them to show empathy and compassion without judgement. I believe this process will build and solidify their self esteem and sense of self worth.
Question 8. Do you see domestic violence as an issue for women, for men, or for all New Zealanders? (Women, or Men, or all New Zealanders please)
If elected, what strategies would you like to pursue to eliminate domestic violence?
All New Zealanders;
As per my answer to Question 1
A practical measure would be to encourage women in the community who have experienced what it is to be a victim of domestic violence, single parenthood, sexual abuse etc., to enable them to become trained and receive a NZQA qualification, then by way of bond return to their communities so they can in turn, reach out to others experiencing similar hardship. Their own personal experiences will enable them to show empathy and compassion without judgement. I believe this process will build and solidify their self esteem and sense of self worth.
As per my answer to Question 4
A practical action could be to involve the community because violence touches all of us in some way. If we reach out to those who fear for their lives and encourage them to come to a community facility where they feel safe with staff who are NZQA qualified and have come from similar situations, I believe we will help prevent further abuse (in whatever forms abuse comes) and we will aid in preventing further deaths. (See www.rita.org.nz under “Issues” for Security/Feeling Safe in our Community)
… “It takes people and community to stop abuse”.
Question 9. Successive governments have effectively cut the Domestic Purposes Benefit. Do you believe people raising children alone should have sufficient financial support from the state so that they do not need to go to work until they believe that is the best choice for their family? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
No;
A parent raising child/ren alone should have sufficient financial support from the state up to a set age of the youngest child, at which point they receive a partial subsidy according to their income while working on a part time/casual basis with a view to increasing their hours to full time employment once they believe that is the best choice for their family. The part time job may be voluntary or paid. I believe this process will bring a sense of worth to the parent and be a positive influence for their child/ren to want to go out and work when they are of age.
Question 10. Women do the vast majority of cooking and shopping, and increases in food prices are a burden borne disproportionately by women. What do you think our government can or should do to ensure that everyone has access to good food?
This again is the responsibility of the individual, not the government.
We all have access to good food it really is down to whether we feel we deserve to eat it or not. It is about knowing one’s worth and about allowing ourselves to have good things in our lives, like good food.
Question 11. Do you have any further comments that you wish to make about the role of women in our society? Please feel free to share your thoughts here.
If we learned to encourage one another, our husbands/partners, children, family, friends, and work colleagues, I believe our home, neighbourhood, and community and beyond would be a much better place to live. A saying I remembered when I was a child was, “If you want a friend, be a friend”, how much this still applies to today.
I believe it is us the individual who can make a positive change in our community.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.
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