Rufina Peter contested the Central Regional Seat,to poll 33,221 votes. This placed her third in her seat, making her the highest polling female in this year’s National Election. According to Ms. Peter, there are 4 major challenges female candidates face when it comes to PNG politics. In a media release by UNDP, Ms Peter highlighted these challenges:
“Firstly, the perception of many Papua New Guineans that politics is a man’s world and that women are ill-equipped to be effective political leaders. Secondly, the current political culture promotes corrupt practices – particularly significant expenditure to buy votes. The third is that there isn’t adequate financial resources and logistical support for the entire election period and finally the challenge women face brokering support of traditional tribal leaders to secure sufficient base votes in order to be a serious contender among the male candidates.”
Perception
According to Ms. Peter politics in PNG is a ‘man’s world and that women are ill-equipped to be effective political leaders’.
PNG women have always played a subservient role towards men. Culturally women are the homemakers, the mothers, the care givers – that has been their role, regardless of whether the society is matrilineal or not.
It was not a women’s place to make decision’s for her family, her tribe or community.
This has been the perception for years and although times are changing with more women taking up roles held by men, there is a strong attachment to this cultural norm especially when it comes to politics.
To address these challenges, Ms Peter suggested, “the Government of PNG and the development partners need to move beyond short term interventions to implementing a well-planned and comprehensive intervention package with the overall objective to create a level playing field for women in PNG politics.”
A level playing field for women in PNG politics is always met by critics who believe women should not be given special preference but should be elected to office like every other politician before them.
This was evident when the Bill to amend the Constitution to introduce 22 reserved seats for women failed to attract the necessary number of votes in early 2012.
However this year UNDP along with the Registrar of Political Parties, the Chief Ombudsman and Ms. Peter are calling on political leaders, governments and voters to commit to real change to progress female participation in politics.
Related Article:
http://www.emtv.com.pg/news/2017/08/no-female-mps-in-this-years-national-election/
