Elizabeth Jane Prichard (nee Ballantine, 15 February 1936 – 2 December 2023) was a New Zealand women's leader. She was the founder of Pacific Women's Watch New Zealand, held roles in the

National Council of Women of New Zealand The National Council of Women of New Zealand () was established in 1896, three years after women in New Zealand won the right to the vote, as an umbrella organisation uniting a number of different women's societies that existed in New Zealan ...

and the

International Council of Women The International Council of Women (ICW) is a women's organization working across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating women's rights, human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C ...

, and was the president of Presbyterian Women. In 2004 Prichard was appointed a Companion of the

Queen's Service Order The King's Service Order () established by royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, is used to recognise "valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the ...

for community service. In 2019 Prichard was appointed a Companion of the

New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit () is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant (document), royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Monarchy of New Zealand, Queen of New Zealand, "for th ...

for services to women.

Early life and education

Prichard was brought up in

Herbert Herbert may refer to: People * Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert * Herbert (given name) * Herbert (surname) Places Antarctica * Herbert Mountains, Coats Land * Herbert Sound, Graham Land Australia * Herbert, Northern Territor ...

, Otago. She attended the

University of Otago The University of Otago () is a public university, public research university, research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in ...

, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1956. She worked for two years in Wellington before marrying Owen Prichard and moving to Auckland. The couple had two children.

Work

Prichard joined the Federation of University Women (now Graduate Women) in Auckland, as well as taking on roles in the Presbyterian Church. Prichard was concerned with ensuring women's voices were heard, and especially women from Pacific and Asian communities across the Pacific. From 1990 she was a member of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ), and served on the board from 1996. From 1998 to 2002 she was the national vice president. Prichard held several roles in the International Council of Women (ICW), including six years as vice president, and she was also president of Presbyterian Women. Prichard worked to improve the representation of women across the Pacific. She founded the International Council of Women's Asia-Pacific Regional Council, and fundraised to send women from Pacific Islands to the ICW meetings. Prichard founded the Pacific Women's Watch NZ, and was president for two periods, with the second from 2007 until 2014. Prichard also founded Bridgebuilders International in New Zealand, which worked to build national networks for religious women's groups. Prichard worked with Shakti Refuge to prevent forced marriages of minors through the passing of the Marriage (Court Consent to Marriage of Minors) Amendment Bill. This bill changed the requirement for consent for marriage of a minor to a Family Court Judge rather than the parents. Prichard worked to uphold the

Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it was instituted ...

(CEDAW). She attended every United Nations

Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the United Nations System#Six principal organs, principal organs of the United Nations. CSW has bee ...

annual conference from 1997 until 2011. Prichard wrote a memoir of her life, ''Creating space'', which was published in 2023. Prichard died in

North Shore Hospital North Shore Hospital is a large public hospital in Takapuna, New Zealand, serving the northern part of Auckland. Located on Shakespeare Road near Lake Pupuke, it is administered by the Northern division of Te Whatu Ora . The hospital provide ...

, Auckland on 2 December 2023.

Honours and awards

In the

2004 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 2004 were appointments by some of the Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours are awarded as part of the New Year celebrations ...

, Prichard was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service. In the

2019 Queen's Birthday Honours The 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as p ...

, Prichard was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women. In 2023 she was elected a life member of the National Council of Women of New Zealand.

Published work

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prichard, Jane University of Otago alumni Companions of the Queen's Service Order Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit 1936 births 2023 deaths People from Otago New Zealand women's rights activists