Women from all six districts in East Sepik Province gathered at the Tangori station oval in Yangoru-Saussia yesterday to celebrate National Women’s Day.
The two-day celebration, which was the first of its kind to be held in Yangoru-Saussia district, was made possible through funding by the Yangoru Saussia Development Authority, under the chairmanship of the Member for Yangoru-Saussia and Minister for Trade, Commerce & Industry, Richard Maru.
Women leaders who officiated at the celebration thanked Minister Maru for backing the celebration, which lacked the support of other local MPs.
Women from Ambunti-Dreikikir, Angoram, Maprik, Wosera-Gawi, Wewak and Yangoru-Saussia converged in provincial and PNG colours to celebrate their day.
The theme of the two-day event was “Empowering Rural Women for Success”.
Women from various villages in Yangoru-Saussia district chanted traditional songs, danced and performed customary practices to mark the importance of their existence.
Dramas that predict how life is lived in the rural settings as well as the hardships women face over the last 40 years were also showcased.
A group from Sausso LLG acted a drama that showed how the current Member for Yangoru-Saussia brought services like road access into their villages. They dramatised how they were discriminated for struggling to access services like health and education, especially those living along the Sepik Highway.
President of Numbo LLG of Yangoru-Saussia, Michael Kombo, thanked the Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority and Minister Maru for his commitment and support in making the celebrations a success.
He said despite this day being the first of its kind to have happened in the district, he was unhappy with the lack of assistance at the political level in the province.
“Women should be respected and appreciated because they are the backbone of any society or community. I am disappointed that women have not been given the recognition that they deserve on this day.
“We all should appreciate the hard work that women do and give them the recognition by celebrating this day,” said Kombo.
“You will have all the days of your life to do whatever you want but at least one day of recognition should be given to women,” he said.