O'Neill: More to to be done for women

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told a women’s forum in Port Moresby yesterday that there is more to do to advance women in Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister said successive governments had done their fair share to try to advance the role and profile of women in PNG.

A number of initiatives had been launched and resources allocated to empower women on education, public service, business and decision making, he said.

He told participants that they were in the forum because obviously, there was more to be done.

He said recognising the potential in our women, and the benefits to our community in promoting women, our government introduced legislations and made some key decisions to ensure there was progress.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said the Government passed the Family Protection Bill to give more legal protection to mothers at home.

"We amended the criminal code so any attack on our mothers and sisters because of sorcery related beliefs becomes a serious offence; we introduced tough legislations to combat human trafficking, so we protect our vulnerable young women.

"A lot more has to be done and my government stands ready to listen to you," he told the forum.

He said he was aware that the forum would discuss key issues on empowering the next generation; how groups could be agents of change; enhancing educational opportunities; helping women live healthier lives; encourage men and youth to combat gender based violence; get more women into business and harness the power of technology to empower women.

The Prime Minister said he hoped that the forum would develop strategies to guide those attending to promote gender equality and empower women.

He further told women that the Government was committed to the advancement on the status of women in PNG by setting up and funding an office of development for women, which will be within the Department of Community Development.

This office will be funded in the budget starting next year, so that it is fully resourced to promote the initiatives to advance the empowerment of women in PNG.