Twenty Women Leaders from various provinces recently graduated from the Pacific Institute of Pacific and Leadership and Governance, after a six-month Leadership training.
The Women Leadership Academy training targets female ward councilors and women representatives from the sub-national level, with the aim to advance their political careers.
The training program was facilitated by PILAG, in partnership with UN Women, and supported by the Australian High Commission and New Zealand High Commission, through the Women Make the Change Program.
The six-month training covers six modules covering topics on Ward Development Plan, and Pubic Speaking among others, and this is the second cohort of Women Leadership Academy.
The women leaders saying appreciative of the program, saying the training has encouraged and motivated them to be good decision-makers in their local communities.
UN Women country representative Themba Kalua said women are significantly under-represent in decision-making and leadership positions, and there is a need for women’s political participation.
“The current statics shows that PNG is 184 out of 186 countries in the world when it comes to women’s representation in Parliament, so PNG is not doing very well,” Kalua said.
He said having women in leadership will help in development progress, and everyone must support women’s political participation.
PILAG CEO Michael Barobe said PILAG is committed to working in partnership with the UN Women Program, and the Women Make the Change Program to support women political leaders and ensure women are promoted as leaders.
“We would like to see more of our women, who have taken this training step up and face the challenge,” the CEO said.
The CEO said the government has been advocating for more women in Parliament, however, there is a need for action, to bring about this change.
He is calling for more government participation in this training program, to ensure women are well represented at the National and Sub-National Levels.
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