Editor’s Perspective: August 30th issue

“Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, once and for all” — Hillary Clinton

Somewhat of a theme has emerged in this issue of Metropol. I wish I could lay literary claim to this feat of editorial ingenuity, but alas it has been pure chance.

See, it seems that on the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, this narrative of impressive, pioneering feats by New Zealand women is making an increasing appearance throughout the pages of Metropol.
This issue, we speak to the beautiful Lilia Tarawa, who escaped from a religious cult, about how she’s using her experience to inspire and empower young women with messages of self-love.

We talk to Dr Libby Weaver about the importance of nutrition to how we look and feel, and we talk to April McLennan about the social enterprise she has established that is all about getting youth into energising and fulfilling work which has a lasting impact.
We profile a special event being held next month to mark the beginning of the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage and we celebrate the women who are breaking down construction barriers in the fourth annual Hays National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards.

We’ve even looked at the New Zealand workplaces which are seeking to empower employees, particularly women, by providing increasingly flexible working conditions.
I’m proud to be in a position to be able to share voices of women who are making a difference because, as Malala Yousafzai once said, “I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard…we cannot succeed when half of us are held back”.