Sepik women to attend meet

 EAST Sepik women will be represented at the National Council of Women (NCW) meeting in Mt Hagen this week.

Provincial council of women president Sophie Mangai is leading the delegation to the annual general meeting which starts on Thursday.

Mangai said the meeting would also address all forms of violence against women.

She said their discussions during the two-day meeting would also include the amended NCW Act which was recently passed by parliament, sorcery and witchcraft related killing of women and the participation of women in the local level government elections in June.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is expected to open the meeting, which would also be attended by Community Development Minister Loujaya Toni, host Governor Paias Wingti, United Nations and other development partners.

 “With the NCW Act now passed by parliament, women leaders are expected to reorganise all council of women throughout the 22 provinces so that they function effectively to address all women issues,” she said.

“This will further empower women in all villages to advocate and meaningfully participate in all activities.”

She said their delegation would also exchange traditional gifts with Wingti on behalf of East Sepik Governor Sir Michael Somare.