Representative of Polynesia: 'Due to French nuclear tests, our population is suffering from cancer'

"Because of nuclear tests, our women and men are getting cancer. France is avoiding responsibility, it should be ashamed of itself,” Representative of French Polynesia Ella Tokorigi, the deputy secretary general of Tawini Party for Youth and International Relations, said at an international conference titled "Decolonization: Empowerment and Development of Women,” organized by the Baku Initiative Group. 

The representative of French Polynesia also spoke about other problems they are facing: "17.5% of Polynesian students could only complete a three-year bachelor's degree. Women are removed from education at an early age and forced into prostitution because they have to support their families. Our language is being forgotten because only the language of Napoleon Bonaparte is given importance. Although access to education is a success, it is not enough, there must be equality, and education must be inclusive. Also, economic and political opportunities should be created for women. There are also problems in healthcare. There is inequality in services. The health strategy should be improved. In 2019, 700 people lost their lives during the pandemic. Because the crisis was not well managed. This is a very large number for a country with a small population like ours.”

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