Training boost for women leaders

YET another passage is being paved for women to train and assume political and leadership roles in the country.
The United Nations (UN) Women signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (Pilag) to establish a political leadership academy for women in Papua New Guinea.
The ceremony took place yesterday at the Pilag Bully Beef conference at the Waigani Main Campus, Port Moresby.
The partnership is being established under UN Women’s Women “Make the change” programme, which focuses on supporting and promoting women’s political participation and leadership in the country.
The programme is being implemented with support from the Australia and New Zealand governments.
The Political Leadership Academy for Women will work closely with a small cohort of women in each cycle to provide those who are already in subnational political positions with training, skills building, mentorship and learning exchange opportunities.
According to Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women deputy country representative, the new partnership is expected to contribute to a growing pool of qualified and capable women political leaders in the country.
“We are excited to be part of this partnership,” she said.
“We look forward to working with Pilag to ensure that female politicians in Papua New Guinea are well-equipped to advance their careers from the local, district and provincial levels to the national stage.”
Since Independence, PNG has had only seven women elected into National Parliament, in comparison with about 800 men.
Nyamayemombe attributed this disparity to gender stereotypes that discriminate against females.
“It is our duty as UN Women to ensure women have every opportunity to fully participate in whatever capacity or role they desire,” she said.
The chief executive officer of Pilag, Michael Barobe, acknowledged the important role and work of the UN Women under its “Women make the change” programme in PNG in raising the profile of women and creating opportunities that empower women to participate meaningfully in the socio-economic and political discourse of the country.
He also pledged that Pilag would support United Nations Women political leadership for women academy in its endeavour to raise the next generation of women nation builders through equal participation.