WUNRN
Via UNDP Pacific Centre
Papua New Guinea - Bill for Women in PNG Parliament
14 MAY 2010 PORT MORESBY (POST COURIER) --- The Papua New Guinea Government this week gave notice
of its intention to table a constitutional amendment catering for the proposed
22-women seats in Parliament.
Clerk Don Pandan read the notice about alteration of the Constitution’s Section 50 dealing with the right to stand for public office and Section 101(1) regarding membership of Parliament.
The Bill is being sponsored and championed by the Minister for Community Affairs, Dame Carol Kidu.
Following the notice, there
was a hive of activity around the city with women leaders lobbying for support
with political leaders in and around Parliament as well.
Formal presentation of the
bill is required within two months from the date of notice given.
According to the Speaker the proposed law intends to give effect for equal participation by women in the areas of politics, economic, social and religious activities.
It also aims to improve participation and representation of women in Parliament and provincial assemblies.
In addition the proposed law intends to create a two-member provincial electoral representation, one of which has to be a woman.
Explanatory notes of the proposed bill show the change will result in major alterations to the Constitution and in compliance with the second goal of the National Goals and Directive Principles calling for equal participation by all citizens. In effect it will translate to two regional Members for every province of which one has to be an elected woman representative instead of opting for the appointment preference.
Meanwhile president of Women
in Politics (WIP), Maria Hayes is calling on all women in PNG to pray that God
will help them to convince their MPs to support the Bill introduced yesterday
to support the proposed 22 reserved women seats in parliament.
Ms Hayes said women were
excited that the law has now parliament business and would if passed enable
more representation of women on the floor of Parliament. The constitutional
amendment will be introduced by Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu
today on the floor of Parliament.
By the July session the proposed
Bill will be allowed to go through its first reading, debate and first vote
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