New aide for PNGDF commander

By ANGELINE KARIUS
A FEMALE army officer has been appointed personal assistant to the PNG Defence Force Commander, a first for Papua New Guinea.
Capt Jacqueline Lilih was sworn in as aide de camp (ADC) at Murray Barracks, last Friday.
A lawyer by profession, Lilih was specialist direct entry short service commissioned officer before being appointed.
Lilih will be the new ADC to Brig-Gen Francis Agwi for the next 12 months.
According to Agwi, women must be given equal opportunities in the workforce.
“This year, I decided to promote gender equality because of the growing number of professional women officers and soldiers in the force,” he said.
For the past 13 years a gradual change in the number of women have been enlisted, commissioned and recruited.
Today, there are a total of 28 women in the force with 21 privates and seven officers, Agwi said.
They are employed as lawyers, doctors, pilots, lab technicians, instructors, clerk, medics and drivers, although with a lower ratio to their male counterparts. 
Agwi said he was determined to establish a good working environment within the defence force that was conducive for females to work alongside their male counterparts.
He said he was looking forward to working alongside Lilih as she brings with her valuable knowledge into her new appointment. 
“She will be tasked to ensure the commander’s office is running well within set time and protocol,” he added.
 The post of the ADC is traditionally occupied by the best of the young career officer captains that come through the ranks as officer cadets.