The recent week-long Bougainville women’s conference has strengthened the confidence of women leaders from Tinputz and Siwai.
Many women leaders shared their sentiments on the conference, saying such meetings unify the women of Bougainville in the lead up to the referendum.
There were three aims of the conference, which firstly included the establishing or agreeing on key issues for women in Bougainville.
Secondly is the understanding of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, its key pillars and participation in key processes such as the referendum and weapons disposal currently led by the National Government and the ABG.
Thirdly is the unification and solidarity to promote women’s empowerment and advance their participation in political processes.
With the Autonomous Region of Bougainville preparing for the referendum to determine its political future, UNDP is supporting referendum preparations and the delivery of the Bougainville Peace Agreement following requests from the National Government and the ABG.
The BPA, signed in 2001 by the Government of PNG and Leaders of Bougainville, ended a decade-long armed conflict in 2001 and provides a roadmap for the work being conducted by UNDP in Bougainville and PNG.
Women from South, Central and North Bougainville converged for a five-day conference from 28 August to 1 September to highlight the significant role, both historically and currently, that women play in peace building and security in the region.
(Bougainville House of Representative Deputy Speaker, Francesa Semoso, thanking UNDP for their support)