Female interests in politics have increased however participation has remained stagnant over the years. Among the 111 members of National Parliament in Papua New Guinea, only 3 are women.
In promoting women’s participation in politics and leadership roles, the United Nations Development Program will be running a practice parliament session for women next week.
Women’s participation in politics and leadership roles has remained low not only in Papua New Guinea, but across the Pacific region and globally as well.
Women are still grossly under-represented in national parliaments. Papua New Guinea’s parliament currently has only 3 female members of parliament among the 111 members.
Kopilyo Ima, Director of Social Sectofrom the Department of Community Development and Religion highlighted that this was due to a number of reasons from domestic responsibilities, cultural attitudes on gender roles, lack of family support, confidence and finances.
In raising awareness and increasing women’s participation in politics and leadership roles, Julie Bukikun from the United Nations Development Program said a Practice Parliament Session for Women will be held in Port Moresby next week from the 6th to the 13th of March. This Session will provide a practical forum to expose participants to the realities of policy-making and being a parliamentarian.
This practice parliament session for women is organized by UNDP, the National Parliament, Department of Community Development and Religion and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Fifty women have been selected to participate in the session, and a list of the participants can be found below.
