Women vital to economic development, says vice-regal

WOMEN are central to developing successful economies and stable societies, Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio said yesterday.
Sir Michael said at the launching of the Pride of Papua New Guinea Awards for this year in Port Moresby that the empowerment of women, through economic independence, was critical to the eradication of poverty.
Sir Michael said gender equality implied a society where women and men enjoyed the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life.
He said if it was not for the awards many of these women would not have been given recognition for their extraordinary contributions to their communities and to nation-building.
The vice-regal said the awards were dedicated to celebrating the lives of simple, ordinary Papua New Guinean women who worked tirelessly without being awarded.
 “Through the awards they have been given a voice – an opportunity to make us all aware of the good deeds they have accomplished,” he said.
He congratulated City Pharmacy and partners for the initiative through which the general public could nominate and recognise outstanding women of this country.
“I believe such recognition is a wonderful source of strength for women to work with pride and dignity, knowing many of their sisters throughout the country are working hard for the same cause.”
CPL chief executive officer Ravi Singh appealed to members of the public to look out for outstanding women in the country and nominate them.