Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Gender Advisor post set for PNG parliament

Posted at 03:31 on 10 March, 2006 UTC

Applicants are being interviewed for the position of Gender Advisor to assist in any legislative matters in Papua New Guinea’s parliament.

The position, newly created by Community Development Minister, Dame Carol Kidu, is part of work towards the creation of an Office for the Development of Women, which is yet to receive allocation from the budget.

Dame Carol says creating the Gender Advisor position is aimed at pushing gender equality and to see PNG women have greater participation in decision making.

She says recent restructuring of parliament gave her ministry the opportunity to propose the position.

“To be available for any members or ministers who wish to focus on gender issues. Of course, I’m going to be one of the ministers that will be wanting to utilise the services of that person because I see that to move things forward for women in Papua New Guinea, we need to make legislative and structural changes. It’ll take too long by mindset changes.”

Dame Carol Kidu says parliamentarians have been receptive to the creation idea, and recognise that the voice of women needs to be heard more.