The Registry of Political Parties and Australian National University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as a commitment to work together to improve women’s leadership and political participation in Papua New Guinea.
The Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu, said the outcome of the 2017 National Election indicates that more has to be done to address inequalities in leadership.
The MoU is a long term commitment and is vital to strengthen the registry’s ability to support women candidates and pool political parties’ support for women.
Officiating at the signing, Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific, Professor Michael Wesley commended the 165 women who contested this year’s elections.
A number of them won substantial support within their communities despite challenges and difficulties.
The MoU will pave the way to make elections a more equal playing field for all in a bid to increase women’s participation in decision making.
The MoU is channelled through ANU’s State, Society and Governance in Melanesia, under the Women in Leadership Support Program.