Women contestants vow to take fight to parliament

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THREE National Capital District regional candidates have promised to take on women issues if they get into Parliament.
Woman candidates Margaret Loko, Ako Kone John and Titus Pameko told a women’s rally at the Unagi oval, in Port Moresby last Thursday that gender equality and social development for women and children were among their policies.
Of the 27 invited candidates Loko, John and Pameko were the only three who turned up at the rally and spoke to the women who gathered there.
The candidates who are contesting in the national election for the first time told the people their policies were people-based and included the issues of women and children that were of great concern in the country. 
They said women and children had been ignored for too long and were missing out on social development and equal business opportunities. 
Their policies included the restructuring of National Capital District Commission, eradicating corruption and malpractices in NCDC offices, attend to land rights issues of the Motu-Koitabu people, settlement rehabilitation and development and increase employment for youths in NCD.
John said he was ready to work alongside Loko and Pameko to manage NCD and would push for women’s development.
“I believe it is time for women to rise. There should be no reservations; women have the same power as men. They can do anything and that must be recognised and supported in order to develop our society,” he said.
Women from the three electorates in NCD turned up at the rally.
There was an open forum of speeches and responses by the candidates and the women.
Representatives from each community had turns to testify on problems affecting them. 
Loko said women must now be recognised as equal partners in development.