Women’s group told not to play politics

 THE National Council of Women (NCW) plays a vital role in promoting gender equality and must not play politics, one of its provincial leaders says.

Southern Highlands Council of Women president Rachael Yangu said the recent election of Gloria Rami as the new president was illegal.

It was reported that Rami was appointed as president, with Veveli Olesi as deputy, Roselyn Walbo as secretary and Janet Terry as treasurer.

However, Yangu claimed she was still the president and  that a circular of 2008 stated that no election should be conducted until after the Law Reform Commission finalised the NWC Bill to be tabled in Parliament.

She said women who voted for Rami as the president were not registered members of SHP NWC.

Yangu also claimed Rami was not a member of the organisation.

“Gloria works as the president of the Catholic diocese and she is not affiliated to the Southern Highlands National Women of Council.” Yangusaid.

She said she was still president under section 82(3) of the NCW Act.

“Women of Sothern Highlands must affiliate with the act and must be part of the interim group if they want to take part in the activities of national council of women.

“National council of Women is established to help us women to be active in all parts of life to contribute to the development of the country and we must do it accordingly to the law,” Yangu said.