Ulterior motive in reserved seats push

THE 22 reserved seats for women in parliament is against the interest of gender equality.
It is also not in the best interests of our women to put their feet down and stand as equal as men in whatever they want to venture into such as poli­tics, business, sports, music, etc.
The election of three women into parliament in this year’s general election is a huge step forward for women.
Understandably, they are against the move to reintroduce the 22 re­served seats.
So-called women leaders who are against Minister for Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development Loujaya Toni look like little girls throwing tantrums.
We should not have reserved seats for women in parliament and women leaders should not force
this bill to be passed.
It is akin to questioning the sove­reignty of the state.
 In other words, we are questioning ourselves whether PNG is de­mocratically independent or not.
If we gained independence through the process of democracy and each citizen has the freedom to choose the leaders he or she wants, then what is the point of reserving
22 seats in parliament for women?
Our men and women are equal and there is nothing to differentiate their roles and responsibilities.
In fact, the mindset of the people started to change through the in­fluence of the media and education.
As such, I am confused as to why many of our women leaders are still keen to force this bill to be passed when the three elected women MPs are against it.
I realise that most of the women who are behind the push for the re­served seats are women who were unsuccessful in the elections.
 They are now trying to force this bill through so that they have a chance to enter parliament.
I think it is time for these women leaders to do something useful ra­ther than pressuring the elected 111 MPs.

Mondo Amugl
Port Moresby