By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Promoting the role of women in Security Forces is an agenda that is being discussed in the 2018 Future Leaders’ Summit.
Chief of Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, says the increase of women participation in security forces creates a flexible workforce.
His comments were supported by Commander of PNG Defence Force and Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
Increasing the participation of women in disciplinary forces is one of the desired outcomes of the biannual Future Leaders’ Summit.
PNGDF Commander, Gilbert Toropo announced his support for female soldiers, highlighting the significant roles women can play in the PNG Defence Force.
Since the establishment of PNGDF, there were only male soldiers until 2011, when the first batch of women soldiers was recruited. PNGDF now has close to 300 women soldiers and naval officers.
For the Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC), the figures are slightly higher. From the estimated 6,000 police officers, 700 are women.
Chief of Australian Defence Force Marshal Binskins said the Australian Civil-Military Centre promotes female participation in conflicts and the restoration of peace and security.
And in promoting roles of women in disciplinary forces, female officers in RPNGC are taking the fronts in providing security for wives of the 21 World Leaders who will be attending the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November.
