US sponsors women’s programme

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE United States government is sponsoring a women’s skills training programme in Port Moresby with more than K1 million.
The grant followed the visit to Port Moresby by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in November 2010 where she promised to help the women of the Pacific.
The “Women advocating for voices in government” workshop is facilitated by an international organisation – the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) – to equip women with lobbying skills to promote their rights.
The workshop focuses on the fact that women make major contributions to societies – politically and economically. 
According to the US embassy in Port Moresby, the workshop is timely for PNG as it approaches the general election in July.
The grant for the exercise is over two years and includes the Solomon Islands.
Workshop facilitator Terry Ann Rogers said: “We want to build on the tremendous enthusiasm that was generated by the Pacific Women’s Policy conference co-hosted by the US and Papua New Guinea governments and the World Bank.
“What made the policy dialogue effective was the approach – women from the Pacific took charge to discuss their needs and potential solutions and we want to adopt the exact same approach with our workshop.”
Brian Asmus of the US embassy in Port Moresby said: “The embassy is very much involved in women issues and will continue to empower women and girls as its primary mission goal.”
The IFES supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections, strengthen electoral systems and build local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.
It also promotes good governance, empower the under-represented to participate in political processes and apply field-based research to improve electoral cycle.