“One of the things that is successful about this conference is its consistency ,” said Senator Kathy Kesolei, Senate Vice President. “Consistency in having the conference every year for the past 17 years, and consistency in the issues that we discuss which are known worldwide.”
The senator added that the conference is not so much about giving answers and solutions to these issues as it is about providing an avenue, a forum for discussion on topics that affect the lives of everyone.
“We invite the government to come and tell us what they are doing about these issues,” Senator Kesolei said.
On the issues of health, the women raised their concerns about the rise of diabetes, heart problems, slow population growth and the lack of interest of students to become nurses and doctors.
The importance of child birth ceremony and how some are getting away from the respect and solemnity of it all were among the most important issues the women talked about with regard to the preservation of their cultural heritage.
“The fact that this is a woman’s pride and joy it should not be handled with drinking and so forth,” said Senator Kesolei. “There are certain restrictions to having the child ceremony, and those were discussed.”
One of the issues that was very important in the conference is the justice system. The women issued a letter to the Chief Justice, suggesting to have the judge who will be hearing cases involving customs to be Palauan. “So that we can speak Palauan in court, that way we can express ourselves better,” said Bilung Gloria Salii.
As for education, the women raised the question on how they can help parents who can’t afford to provide lunches for their kids and how they can provide assistance to the Ministry of Education to have enough workbooks for the students.
Getting rid of pollution in their homes and areas and trying to live a healthy lifestyle were among the environmental issues that the women tackled.
Senator Kesolei added that one of the things that they do at the Women’s Conference every year is to invite experts to come and talk, give lessons and provide information about the pressing issues that concern the women of Palau.
“And those are the ones that we take and mull over when we go home,” shared the senator.
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