Treat women fairly, UN expert says

By PISAI GUMAR
GENDER equality is not about women issues only when analysed, says a UN gender technical adviser.
Edith Lugonvu, of the United Nations Development Programme, said  gender equality related to sharing social roles, responsibilities and functions performed within the family, community and organisations  which promoted meaningful and lasting relationships.
She  told Bris Kanda staff and local level affiliates at a three-day gender sensitising training in Lae, Morobe, that gender equality in the country was critical to the UNDP because without systematic analysis, people misinterpreted gender and sex by suppressing women and children.
“Otherwise, it is about men and women standing side by side to share knowledge and skills and contribute meaningfully toget­her to improve family livelihood and develop the country,” she said.
Lugonvu said most men in the family and  private and public organisations were “gender blind” and  could not technically and critically analyse the meanings, values and relationships.
“Women are looked upon as peace-keepers, critical managers in equal and fair distribution,” she said.
Bris Kanda pro-actively provides technical and skills expertise to the rural fresh and cash crop farmers in three Huon Gulf district council areas in Morobe, Salamaua and Wampar funded by the New Zealand government.  
The training was to equip the participants with the basic gender and development concepts used, introductory knowledge and tools to effectively implement in civil society to influence LLG plans, policies, projects and programme initiatives.
It was to enhance gender knowledge and analysis skills in its sensitivity necessary for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the responsiveness in CSOs and LLG project programmes.
Bris Kanda manager Lukis Romaso said: “Various organisations and family leadership proves successful when women silently contribute their social roles and responsibilities diligently to complement what the leader does.
“Therefore, women’s abilities need recognition and given credit where it is due.”