'Still More Work to Do'

"International Women's Day offers an opportunity for women to reflect on their status, and the progress of gender equality worldwide," Australian ambassador Frances Adamson told Women of China ahead of International Women's Day.[Women of China English Monthly]

"International Women's Day offers an opportunity for women to reflect on their status, and the progress of gender equality worldwide," Australian ambassador Frances Adamson told Women of China ahead of International Women's Day. To mark the day, which is celebrated March 8 each year, the Australian Embassy will host International Women's Week in Beijing and, through the Australian consulates, in Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Chinese guests, most of whom will be women, will participate in various activities, during which they will share their experiences while seeking equal opportunities, with their male counterparts, to make achievements in their careers.

The following interview with Adamson is in a question-and-answer format:

Women of China (WOC): "Make It Happen" is the theme of this year's International Women's Day. This year, the Australian Embassy in China will host events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (held in Beijing in 1995). What measures has the Australian Government taken in recent years to help empower women and advance women's development?

Adamson: I think the broad UN (United Nation)'s theme for this year is "equality for women is prosperity for all." I think that this (theme) picks up a number of themes the Beijing conference originally set. Inevitably not everything the Beijing Platform for Action (the conference's outcome document) set out has in fact been achieved in every country. It's important for us to continue to review it and the 20-year mark is a really good opportunity to do that.

In Australia's case, the government has initiated several programs and policies, including a national plan (aimed at) reducing violence against women and children. The plan, launched in 2010, established a 12-year framework for collaboration between our government, nongovernmental organizations and people from across society.

Another specific measure I want to mention is the national paid parental leave scheme, which was launched nationwide in 2011. Parental leave and child care are among the issues that don't exclusively benefit women, but also men.

We have also launched a national project to focus on women's peace and security. We've had a document produced by the (Australian) Department of Foreign Affairs, and that document drew on case studies conducted particularly in South-Pacific countries, where women have played roles in leadership, with the hope of empowering others. Despite (the many) measures and policies we have taken to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, I'd like to emphasize there is still more work to do.

WOC: Have you been impressed by any of the policies and/or projects implemented by the Chinese Government or State-level women's organizations, such as the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), to advance women's development in China?

Adamson: My first visit to China was in 1987. I assumed my post as Australian ambassador to China in 2011. If I compare China now with China then, it is very evident (that) huge development has taken place, which has brought benefit to all Chinese people, particularly Chinese women.

The All-China Women's Federation is a very valuable partner for Australia. One of the first meetings I had here as Ambassador was with the All-China Women's Federation, during which I was briefed on the 10-year women's development plan.

I also had opportunities (to go) out in the field, (and) out in the provinces to see ACWF's projects at work. For example, wells to enable women to be able to draw water, without having to walk long distances.; they seem like small things, but they are immensely practical and they bring real benefits.
 
WOC: What role does an ambassador play in cross-nation communications? As Australia's first female ambassador to China, do you believe men and women use different approaches/skills when they work in diplomacy?

Adamson: I think the role of an ambassador has many dimensions, but at its core, my duty is to communicate accurately and faithfully the Australian Government's position on various issues to the Chinese Government and to communicate back to my own government the views of the Chinese Government on the issues on which we are working together.

In all of those areas I think Australia's interests are engaged, part of my role is to promote trade and investment; promote closer people to people ties through education with the large numbers of Chinese students who go to Australia and the growing number of Australian students who come to China, through tourism, through investment and through support for meetings between our leaders.

I think every ambassador brings his/her own particular interests, skills and enthusiasm to the role. People sometimes wonder whether women bring particular diplomatic skills to their roles, including in multilateral diplomacy or in terms of peace building. That can be the case, but it's not necessarily universally the case; but in our own development programs internationally, we put emphasis on (women) because we can see that women in leadership roles, particularly when it comes to peace building, can have a powerful role.

WOC: In November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an official visit to Australia after the G20 Summit (the 2014 G20 Summit was held in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia, on November 15-16). After nine years of negotiations, the two countries signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). Given that you have a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Adelaide, what do you anticipate will be the effects of ChAFTA? Will it enhance trade between Australia and China?

Adamson: There are strong economic complementarities between Australia and China. Australia has a very strong resource base, we've been a reliable supplier of the raw materials China needs for its growth. The free trade agreement will reduce the tariffs, the additional tax that is paid on Australian products brought into China, just as Chinese products, within four years of entry into force of the free trade agreement, there will be no tariffs on any Chinese products entering Australia. And that provides a platform for our trade to be as efficient as possible, determined by the demand of consumers and the supply of producers. Now that the agreement has been substantively concluded, we will shortly be in the position to sign the final document. It will then need to go through a ratification process in both of our countries before it enters into force towards the end of this year. We are now running roadshows around China to ensure that business people, Australians and Chinese, are aware of the opportunities that this free trade agreement offers.

(Source: Women of China English Monthly March 2015 Issue)