By GABRIEL FITO
Ensuring women’s participation in decision making from the level of the household through national development policies nis critical, foundation of women in agriculture development (FOWIAD) director Monica Otto Jeddah said.
Ms Jeddah said although women and men particularly in PNG and East Sepik enjoy equal opportunities, however, women are under-represented in decision-making especially at public offices and community level.
She said that through FOWIAD, which is a registered Non-Governmental Organsation (NGO) based in Maprik, women members are now beginning to get actively involved in agri- business in their family decision -making and community activities.
She indicated that FOWIAD had conducted a series of gender sensitisation workshops at the local level to transform gender prejudices and stereotypes, which is being followed by FOWIAD leadership training programmes for women.
This had created a supportive and enabling environment for increased participation of women in decision-making processes affecting their lives with their husband.
She said increasing women’s representation at all levels of governance and particularly at the family and local level is one of the critical areas for action identified in the draft FOWIAD strategy plan. Other critical areas for action include education and skill training in socio-economic development with a focus on self employment.
In view of the importance of women’s participation in decision-making, Ms Jeddah urges the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its millennium development goal, and the PNG Government to support the work started by FOWIAD that would enhance to continue to focus specifically on the areas of capacity building at community based organisation.
“In FOWIAD, our attention to local needs and a long-term perspective ensures that progress is based on people at the family unit.
As a key development partner of the Government, FOWIAD works closely to support the districts and provinces in the development of a democratic and participatory governance system and in their efforts to achieve the millennium development goals,” Ms Jeddah said.