It’s not a hot take to say that 2020 has been a heck of a year. Yet, amidst all the hardship we have also seen incredible manaakitanga, solidarity and collective action.

Like the phenomenal response to the YouChoose2020 survey!

Thank you to all the people who shared, championed and responded to the YouChoose2020 survey. The survey comprised eight categories; the three most supported issue areas from each category formed the basis of the Election 2020 Scorecard (more on that methodology over here).

❣️

Because the gender data gap is real and Aotearoa is no exception, your responses mean we now have incredible insights into what women, wāhine, non-binary, trans women and intersex people need and want from their elected representatives.

You can read the summary results here.

It would seem an obvious strategy to develop policies, initiatives and programmes that support such a large part of Aotearoa’s population. Common sense? Yes. Common practice? No.

One of the most pressing issues that came through in the survey responses is the need for the development of an intersectional National Women’s Health Strategy.

We will be running a nationwide petition and campaign early in 2021. More on that soon. 

❣️

Earlier this month we met with Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Ayesha Verrall, and the Minister for Women, Hon. Jan Tinetti, to share our high level results, outline ways in which the GJC can be of benefit to the gender equity sector, and demand as a matter of urgency, the creation of an intersectional National Women’s Health Strategy which has money earmarked for it in the 2021 Government budget. 

These meetings were very positive and we look forward to working closely with both Ministers in the new year.

❣️

Putting a gender lens across the COVID-19 recovery, finding ways to deliver meaningful, life-changing outcomes for women and unlocking the huge potential women, wāhine, trans women, non-binary and intersex people bring to our country is why the Gender Justice Collective is here. 

Over the next few weeks we will be releasing other results from the YouChoose2020 Survey, e.g. for particular demographic groups, but please bear with us as the quality and quantity of the data we received is huge and we are all volunteers. If you or your organisation are interested in seeing a particular segmentation of results, please get in touch with us. 

Ready to move the dial on gender equity in 2021? Let’s keep moving, faster.

Email us to donate, so we can continue this work.

❣️

Mā mua, mā muri, ka oti te mahi.

From the front, from the back, we will get it done.