Be bold if you want change: Rapilla

If we want to see change and close the gap in gender parity, we must be bold.

These were the words by Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Auvita Rapilla, during her address at the Business & Professional Women’s breakfast commemorating International Women’s Day today.

“Today’s theme for International Women’s Day sends a strong message: Be bold for change,” she said.

“We must take courage, step up, take risks and embrace challenges to see change, which I believe should be change on a personal level, change on an organisational level and change at a societal level.”
Reflecting about her rise to the top, Rapilla said it came with its challenges.

She described feelings of fear and doubt, being overwhelmed with high expectations, knowing full well that the country was heading into an important era of sports, which was the hosting of the 2015 Pacific Games.

“Being home games, there was huge expectation for team PNG to perform,” recalled Rapilla.

“I remember sharing with a colleague saying, you know Sir John has been there for 26 years and he’s leaving big shoes to fill, and the response I got was pivotal for me, those are his shoes, you have your own shoes to fill.
“That gave me real comfort as I had some problem comparing myself to others, worried about not being good enough and ready for the role.”

Now, full steam ahead in her role as the General Secretary to the PNG Olympic Committee, she is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

At an organisational level, Rapilla says organisations must take leading steps to effect gender parity.

She said the PNG Olympic Committee adopted a new gender equity policy. The purpose of the policy is to provide the equity principles applied by the PNG Olympic Committee and to support and approve gender equality outcomes.

“Out of 207 national Olympic committees around the world, the PNG Olympic Committee is one, if few, of the NOCs that have achieved 50 percent representation of women on the executive board since 2011.
“And I must say that it’s our women who have won 56 percent of the gold medals in 2015,” said a proud Rapilla.

But she was quick to point out that she has the greatest respect for the men in her life, who played a key role in her career.

“I would not be where I am without the support of my dad, with his constant reminder to complete university, my former boss, always challenging me to step outside my comfort zone.
“My deputy working alongside me and my international male colleagues that believed in me and encouraged me to apply for IOC membership.
“The point I want to make is that the understanding and the support of our male counterpart is extremely important.

“We have to appreciate and value each other for the roles we play. It’s no competition, we’re all on the same team.

“My husband calls it team work, every decision I made in my career I made sure my husband had a say in it. I would not have taken up any challenges if I didn't have his support.”

 

Author: 
Meredith Kuusa