Papua New Guinea girls are the ones who miss out on education, Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu said last Saturday.
To address this inequality, the Business and Professional women Club (BPWC) of Port Moresby was established to provide scholarships for girls and young women.
BPWC had continued this task with the ever increasing cost of school and university fees as the demand for scholarships continues to increase.
“Education is the basis to get-on in life and in PNG, girls are the ones who miss out,” Dame Carol said at its recent meeting.
She noted that the club had been sustainable over its 26 years of operation.
The club raises funds for scholarships from donations and one major fund-raising activity each year.
Many PNG organisations, recognising the importance of education for females are generous with their support for the club.
Dame Carol said at the meeting that BPWC had done a lot over the years and it could do with more publicity and recognition for its efforts.
Some BPWC scholarship recipients have expressed their thanks to the club and some have gone on to establish careers in areas such as medicine.
The club is always keen to hear about the progress made by the girls and women who have received scholarships in the past.
BPWC said in a statement that it had become a vocal group in the fight against family and sexual violence and is working with other community organisations to address this issue.
The club had sent letters of support to MP’s and heads of agencies in recognition of the efforts made to fight gender-based violence.
Minister of Health Sasa Zibe, who had said that he aims to achieve zero tolerance on domestic violence had been recognised by BPWC.
The Police Commissioner Gari Baki had been given BPWC support for instructing police officers that they must act on and report complaints of family and sexual violence.
BPWC invites women to become members and the club encourages businesses and community organisations to support its efforts to ensure that women and girls in the country achieve positive outcomes and safe and fulfilling lives
BPWC meeting last Saturday was attended by a number of new members and also by founding member Dame Carol who spoke to members about how the club, which celebrates its 26th anniversary this year came to be established.