PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Helen Clark Highlights Importance of Gender Equality for PNG

During a recent visit to Papua New Guinea, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and current United Nations Development Programme Administrator, Helen Clark (pictured), highlighted the significant opportunities which exist in PNG to promote investment in public service delivery, empower women, and advance the country's development agenda.

During a 3 day visit, Miss Clark launched the Second National MDG (Millennium Development Goals) Progress Report together with the Minister for National Planning and District Development, Mr Paul Tiensten. As the report highlights, Papua New Guinea is currently off track to meet the Millennium Development Goals, including in areas of responding to HIV, reducing child and maternal mortality, and promoting gender equality.

Miss Clark also met with one of three family sexual violence units at the Boroko police station in Port Moresby which assists survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. “The sad truth is that where we see progress towards the MDGs lagging the most is often where the needs and status of women and girls are accorded low priority,” she said.

At the inauguration of the National Women's Forum on Equality and Participation for Women: a Better Future for Papua New Guinea, which Miss Clark co-chaired with the Minister for Community Development, Dame Carol Kidu, the discussion focused on the need to increase women's voices and participation in politics as a critical means to promote democracy, advance gender equality, and achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

Women in decision-making has been a critical issue in Papua New Guinea against a backdrop of a high level of gender-based violence, and high rates of HIV among women and girls between the ages of 15-29 years. Papua New Guinea currently has only one female Member of Parliament, and efforts are underway to reserve 22 seats for women in Parliament.

“Efforts to promote gender equality, including promoting girls' education, improving maternal health, combating gender-based violence, and securing female representation in government leadership positions, are of critical importance to advance development in Papua New Guinea,” said Miss Clark.

“Unleashing the potential of Papua New Guinea means giving women the same opportunities in life as men.”