Maprik District, Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, is establishing a Resource Centre for women and youths.
The initiative follows the district’s goal to create income avenues and improve capacity building for people in Maprik.
A K100,000 from the District’s Development Authority Fund was invested in building the centre.
The Resource Centre will be built in Ulupu village, which is a forty five minute drive from Maprik town.
Ulupu has an estimated population of over 35,000 people. Half of the population is women and children.
Caroline Pino, president of the Ulupu Women’s Association, explained that the centre will provide live skills training for Ulupu women and youths.
“The idea is to bring in training program to train women and youths on life skills training,” Mrs Pino said.
On average, most girls in Ulupu do not further their education after Grade 10.
These girls grow coffee, cocoa or peanuts and sell, to earn an income.
The establishment of the centre aims to minimise the verbal and physical discrimination Ulupu women face.
It also gives the women a chance to make money and provides an opportunity to participate in discussion making.
Maprik MP, John Simon, encouraged the villagers to look after the centre, once completed and use it to access life skills.
“We need to build capacity in the district. That is the main purpose of establishing the centre,” John Simon said.
Apart from the centre, the member promised to bring in electricity and road services into Ulupu.
