School first, marriage later: PM

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill wants young women to get an education, find a job and establish themselves before deciding to marry.
In commemorating International Women’s Day today he said there was a certain time to get married but education should come first.
“Women will always have the responsibility of carrying the Nation’s babies to birth, but there should be no rush,” O’Neill said in a statement.
“Importantly also, the men of our communities, the fathers, brothers, sons and uncles, must do more.
“Our children need male role-models who set an example, who participate in the upbringing and education of our children,” he said.
“When a man and a woman create families this carries responsibility and it cannot be neglected.
“Our men must be with our children and play an active part in their upbringing.
O’Neill said women in families and communities are our strength.
“They give us life, the nurture us when we are young and console us when we face problems,” he said.
He said it was also a sad fact in our country and the world, that women in communities are often the first to be neglected and that is not fair.
“In our own national Parliament, we currently have no elected female member,” O’Niell said.
“Despite so many highly skilled and talented female candidates, they were not elected.
“This is a very unfortunate outcome of the democratic process.”
He wants to see that situation rectified and the Government would present a proposal to Parliament that would create seats specifically for women.
“We have to do this, we need diversity in policy debate.
“we need the input of leading women in our country in the National Parliament.
“And we must create more opportunities for women in our country, not only in the Parliament, but in every walk of life.”
O’Neill said the government free education policy was to empowere young girls to set goals and reach new heights.
“With this opportunity it is important that young girls are committed to their schooling,” he said.
“I want to see more of our young women attend and graduate school so that they can have jobs and start businesses.”
O’Neill urged everyone to value the importance, and the love and care of the women in the country.