Kakas laid to rest at home

 By ROBERT TIKI

THE late National Council of Women president, Scholla Kakas was laid to rest in her Kaiap Village, in Enga, on Friday as hundreds of people joined her family in mourning.

Her body was flown into the province on Wednesday, accompanied by executives of the National Council of Women. 

The village is located about 20 kilometres west of Wabag town.

Officials from the national planning and community development departments in Enga  handed over her body to her relatives and the provincial Catholic Women’s Federation at Kaiap village on Thursday. A funeral service was held at Queens Park oval attended by women executives and members of the public.

National Women’s Council vice-president Paula Mek was disappointed that the Enga provincial government and council of women failed to accord Kakas the respect she deserved.

“Kakas deserved high respect because she had done much and carried the Engan flag in the country,’’ she said.

“When we arrived in Wabag, no one was there to receive us,” she said.

“The people of Enga should know that Kakas was their pride. They should have given her a heroine’s welcome.”

Women in Business president, Janet Sape expressed the same sentiment, saying the reception for Kakas was poor. 

A women’s leader described Kakas as a heroine who fought for the interest of women in the country.

The National Council of Women was formed years ago  but was not recognised by the State initially. But through Kakas’ hard work, the organisation was recognised by the government and operated as a state agency. “This is good news for the women as it will have its own budget,” she said.