Women are making the change in Papua New Guinea with a surge of female candidates contesting the 2022 National General Elections, either as Independent candidates or endorsed by political parties.
Papua New Guinea goes to the polls in July to begin its constitutional process towards electing representatives for its 11th Parliament and among the hundreds of male candidates are 142 female candidates vying for the top office posts as well.
In the 2017 National General Election, a total candidacy of 3340, saw only five percent of women listed.
While more than a hundred women contested the 111 seats in 2017, none were elected to Parliament.
2022 has however, seen a surge of political parties endorsing more women candidates than in previous years.
Women candidates with UN Representatives at Parliament attending Mock Parliament Session
This is partly due to more awareness and support by organizations such as the United Nations that has been actively promoting gender equality and women in leadership roles.
Through the ‘Women Make The Change Project’, UNDP in Papua New Guinea is helping to build capacity and vision.
This year, 120 women leaders participated in a series of regional mentoring workshops and trainings delivered in partnership with stakeholders.
The women also were part of a mock Parliament Session in March in preparation for the Election.
On the political race, one party is endorsing all female candidates to contest the 4 seats in the Nation’s capital.
L-R: Sylvia Pascoe – NCD Regional, Tania Bale – Moresby North East, Michelle Hau’ofa – Moresby South and Anna Bais – Moresby North West.
The People’s Party under Enga Governor, Sir Peter Ipatas has endorsed Sylvia Pasco for the NCD Regional seat, Tania Bale – Moresby North East, Anna Kavana Bais – Moresby North West and Michelle Hau’ofa, Moresby South.
United Labor Party has also endorsed a female candidate, Dianne Unagi Koiam, contesting the Moresby North East seat.
Other parties include Peoples National Congress party endorsing Delilah Gore for Sohe Open in Northern Province and Rufina Peter for the Central Regional seat.
Other notable women are Jennifer Baing (People’s Movement for Change Party) , Jean Parkop (Independent), and Dulciana Somare Brash (Independent).
Baing is contesting the Morobe Regional seat, Parkop for Northern Province Regional and Somare-Brash for Angoram Open in East Sepik Province.
Comments are closed.