individuals, families and New Zealand; improve outcomes for children by helping parents out of poverty through paid work; and reduce the likelihood of long-term dependency among those who begin receiving a benefit at a young age. Overall eligibility for a benefit and levels of financial assistance have been unaffected but more intensive support is now provided to people capable of working but who are likely to remain on a benefit long-term without that support.” 1.22. The Commission is aware that a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan of the welfare reforms has been developed and that evaluations of outcomes will be completed later this year. However, no detail of this plan is publically available and so no comment can be made about the independence of the evaluation or any of the other concerns expressed by the Commission. Recommendation 36 (c) ensure the gender mainstreaming of policies relating to the process of recovery from the 2011 earthquake, and engage in analysis of their gender impact by ensuring data is disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity or other status. 1.23. While it is possible to discern some gender trends by examining data sets, analysis and reporting on the gender impact is sparse. 2. Employment 2.1. Statistics New Zealand has been collecting and reporting on employment trends since the onset of the earthquakes which include gender disaggregated data. In 2012 the Human Rights Commission commented that women had been disproportionally affected by job loss in the region. Male employment increased while female employment decreased. The Commission reported that there was a large fall in employment in the retail trade, accommodation and food service industries, in which female dominate. In contrast male dominated sectors such as construction have seen an increase in employment. 2.2. A report4 commissioned by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs noted that “to date relatively few women in Christchurch have taken up the employment opportunities presented by the rebuild.” 2.3. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority has recently reported that the gender imbalance of more men coming off benefits into work than women is beginning to change as the rebuild generates wider economic growth and employment opportunities. The unemployment rate in Canterbury at 3.3 percent is lower than the rest of the country (6.2%).5 Housing availability and affordability are a significant issue in Christchurch6. With rents rising women on fixed income benefits are significantly worse off. The Human Rights Commission has asked for changes in the amount of the accommodation supplement, but to date there has been no response. 4 Ministry of Women’s Affairs (2013) Building back better: Utilising women’s labour in the Canterbury recovery 5 Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (2014) Canterbury Wellbeing Index 6 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (2013) Housing pressures in Christchurch