Gobe mum views bill with confidence

MEN have been greedy and have not been looking after the interests of women, claims a woman leader.
Gloria Akoa, who is the the president of the Imawe Bogasi Landowner Women’s Association in South East Gobe, said financial aid from the government was not reaching women, especially those in villages.
She said the men responsible preferred to keep the aid in the cities, preventing women in the rural areas from getting involved in projects.
Akoa, who is from PDL4 in South East Gobe in Southern Highlands, said she would be greatly disappointed if the bill to reserve 22 seats for women was not passed.
“What message would it send to my daughter and young women growing up in PNG?” she asked.
“It says that they do not deserve to have their voices heard; that they do not need adequate representation on decisions which affect their lives.”
Akoa’s daughter is studying human re-sources management at the University of PNG.
She said women must participate in projects to better look after themselves and their families back in the villages.
“There needs to be people to fight for the rights of women in PNG. There will never be anyone like Dame (Carol) Kidu – she’s the only one who has fought for this.
“After 30 years, we have made little progress for women in the country,” she said.
Akoa said if the other 107 MPs could not pass the bill, then it would confirm that they were greedy.
“There is greed in their hearts and they have no respect for their wives or daughters.”
Akoa had submitted a licence to start a business within the LNG project area and was still waiting to hear back from the Mineral Resources Development Corporation.
She believed she would have a greater chance of success if she were a man.