Women’s Unification Conference
By Tanya Lahies
The women of Bougainville were given a golden opportunity to conduct a women’s unification conference yesterday on the floor of the region’s high-level chamber, the Bougainville House of Representatives.
An initiative of the Deputy Speaker Francisca Semoso, the week-long conference will be conducted at Parliament.
This was made possible after Semoso sought understanding and approval from the Speaker, Simon Pentanu who agreed with the belief that women are true leaders in peace and unity even before the first cease-fire occurred in Bougainville.
Based on the theme: Uniting Bougainville for a free and fair referendum, the conference will enhance leadership skills and confidence building for women in the political scenario. All participants come from the north, south and central regions.
Representing the President, the Minister for Public Service and Member for Hagogohe, Hon Hamal Sawa apologized that the Chief Dr John Momis and Vice President Raymond Masono were unable to attend the historic conference, although they are very supportive of it.
Hon Hamal Sawa remarked that the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) not only recognizes the role played by the women of Bougainville in the early stages of the peace process but also in the overall development and progress achieved in Bougainville since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement on 30th August 2001.
“The government now expects you to do even more during the next three years in the preparing of the people in the conduct of the referendum in 2019 and beyond.”
"In the early part of the peace process you risked your lives going into the jungles to persuade your husbands, children and relatives to leave the fighting and join the peace process. History will forever remember the sacrifices you’ve made to help bring lasting peace on Bougainville.”
“The establishment of the three women reserve seats in the Bougainville House of the Representatives is to perpetuate forever the recognition of your efforts in this endeavor for many years to come.”
“It is our way of saying thank you to you, all the women, past, present and future for helping to bring peace in this beautiful island we call home.”
Minister for Economic Development and Member for Tsitalato, Hon Fidelis Semoso, Member for Tonsu, Ezekiel Massat, former ministers and members, the current women representatives for North, South and Central, representatives from UNDP- Buka, the Bougainville Auxiliary Police and secretaries from Community Development, Community Government, Technical Services and other departments witnessed the significant occasion.
[ Back to News ]
