A woman must empower other women.
This is from Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Chief of the Bougainville Police Service, Joanne Clarkson.
Clarkson says women are agents of change and must be empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Reflecting on the event on June 15, 2016 in Buka, when for the first time a female was the host of a police parade, Clarkson says that this will always be treasured in the hearts of female police personnel in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Clarkson says this reflects women’s value in Bougainville society and politics, especially with the allocation of three reserve seats in the Bougainville House of Representatives.
“And it reminds people that there are women in these sorts of positions, there are women who contribute meaningful in all workplace, not just police, but throughout the public and private sector that play a critical role in nation building,” said Clarkson.
Bougainville has set the precedent through what transpired in the 11th Autonomy Celebrations in Buka, when Clarkson was the parade host, with other women involved.
Clarkson says that this empowers policewomen in Papua New Guinea in line with what the theme of the first national conference in Lae: ‘Empowering Women and Forging Ahead’.
Senior Constable of the Bougainville Police Service, Florence Nohu, says policewomen must be provided with opportunities because they continue to empower other women.
“I have been with them 18 years, because [it] is good to see women empowering women to take responsibilities,” Nohu said.
