Women called to step up

 A WOMEN leader in Rabaul district of East New Britain has called on women in the district to participate in development initiatives to be rolled out this year.

Fidelma Kinakap, the women’s representative in the joint district planning and budget priority committee said they wanted to revive women’s network and reinforce programmes for women in Rabaul.

This will be done as soon as the local level government assemblies in the district confirm their women representatives.

She said local level governments in  Balanataman, Kombiu, Rabaul Urban and Watom had not declared their women representatives. This is delaying women activities this year.

Kinakap said with increased funding for LLGs, more opportunities were available for women to access and promote income generating activities.

She said a calendar of scheduled meetings and activities would be distributed to women leaders and stakeholders before the end of this month.

This is to ensure that women in the district participate in national, provincial and district events this year.

Kinakap said an ecumenical church service would be organised for women next month to bring all women in the district together in a day of devotion and fellowship.

In addition, a sports programme for  women will be staged later this year in the district.

Kinakap revealed that more educational awareness programmes will be conducted in the district to advocate on health issues affecting women in the province.

She said women will also be assisted with financial literacy courses to enhance their fundraising skills to support their families.