by Fabian Hakalits – EM TV Buka
The number of women contesting in this year’s third Autonomous Bougainville Government General Election has increased.
The increase, which is recorded by the Bougainville Electoral Commission, indicates that women are now competing against men in the constituency seats.
In the last two ABG General Elections women focused mainly on their three regional reserve seats of the Bougainville House of Representatives. Only few tried for position in constituency seats.
At the close of nominations for this third General Election, 12 women have nominated for the constituency seats.
The 8 women in North Bougainville are:
Hona Holan (Haku),
Regina Tsikoa (Hagogohe),
Josephine Getsi (Peit),
Cecily Kiots Kekun (Tonsu),
Scholastica Miriori (Tsitalato),
Rachael Vau Tsien (Mahari),
Agnes Titus (Nissan) and
Rita Mamavi Pearson (Teop Taonita).
In Central Bougainville, the only female candidate vying for South Nasioi constituency seat is Ismenia Ketsin.
In South Bougainville, the three females are Miriam Labanue and Mary Mamatau for Konnou constituency seat while Joan Nenoari is for the Bolave seat in Bana.
The increase in women contesting constituency seats is attributed to workshops facilitated by international organisations aimed to up-skill women on election and campaign drives.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=L9Tw9vcd6GU%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
