President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Grand Chief Dr John Momis has given thanks to the development partners on Bougainville for their continued support to the region.

President Hon. Momis made special mention of the governments of Japan, New Zealand and the United States of America for their continued support to empowering Bougainvillean women on gender issues during the opening of the Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency’s (LNWDA) Resource Center.

President Momis also paid tribute to LNWDA Director Helen Hakena for her perseverance in seeing the project becoming a reality.

“Women played an integral part of the peace process on Bougainville and continue to do so as we move towards deciding our ultimate political future through the referendum,” Momis said.

“LNWDA has been a beacon of hope and a safe haven for women who suffer from gender based violence and marginalization within society."

He said that the achievement of peace was through the collaborative effort of women to muster support throughout the region to ensure there was a cessation of hostilities in Bougainville.

“This resource center will empower our women and strengthen our foundation in our journey to self-determination,” he added.

“I would like to remind our people and important development partners that Bougainvilleans are trailblazers. We are a people who may have been reduced to basic humanity but we continue to persevere because we refuse to throw in the towel,” Momis said.

He added these sort of projects would ensure that Bougainvilleans receive support and not stray from their path to self-determination and expressed his gratitude to the people and governments of Japan, New Zeland and USA for funding the resource center and continuing to support Bougainville as it continues to face funding problems from the National Government.

“Our partners have recognized the importance of empowering women on Bougainville by funding infrastructure development to allow the average Bougainvillean women to receive help and support,” Momis said.

“This is an example of what can be achieved if men and women of good will collaborate with each other to reach a common goal,” he said.

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