Ten years ago in Nairobi we said that the participation of women in the decision-making and appraisal processes of the United Nations was essential if the organization was to effectively serve women's interests.

In her role as Minister of Social Welfare Shipley sparked controversy[citation needed] with her cutbacks to state benefits. She became the first National Party leader to seek to make electoral overtures to the gay and lesbian voting public. She also served as Minister of Women's Affairs (1990–1996).

Dame Jenny Shipley DNZM (born 4 February 1952) served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999 the first woman to hold this office and the first and to date only woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.