A challenge for women in PNG

THE bill for 22 reserved seats for women was trashed as it did not obtain the required number of votes to be passed.
Members of parliament cannot be forced to vote for it.
Some MPs have decided not to vote for the bill while others did.
But if women still persist their battle is not over, do not waste time for that is now in the past.
The next general election is only a few months away so start planning ahead and contest in your respective electorates.
It is now time for PNG women to prove their husbands, brothers, uncles, fathers and grandfathers wrong.
Theoretically speaking, we have more women in PNG than men. So why not go back to your electorates and team up with other­ women and contest?
Trust and respect are gained through sweat and sacrifice and do not fall from heaven.
The reserved seats will not do our women any good as it will only discourage them from hard work.
It is virtually impossible for women to be considered as equal in politics if they do not go through the same process that any other aspiring politician has to go through in order to become an MP.
Otherwise, how are men ex­pected to take female politicians seriously?
There is also an increasing number of women who share the same views as men, on whether it is justified for anyone to be given a political position so easily.
If women leaders can really convince and change the mindsets of the people in their favour, I do not see any reason as to why they cannot be voted into parliament this coming election.
 
Paul Nii
Port Moresby