ONLY TEN WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT SINCE INDEPENDENCE: REGISTRAR

BY NIGEL MADO

REGISTRAR for Political Parties Emmanuel Pok has challenged political parties to address Papua New Guinea’s long-standing gender gap in political representation, saying only 10 women have entered Parliament in the country’s 50 years of independence.

Speaking at the sixth Political Parties Expo today, Pok questioned whether the country’s Parliament adequately reflects a population in which women make up more than half of the population.

He said political parties must do more to identify and nurture women leaders instead of waiting until elections to recruit candidates.

Pok said the Registry had been working with political parties, the United Nations system and other partners to bridge the gap between women and PNG’s political culture ahead of the 2027 election.

He challenged political parties to aim for at least 10 women candidates in the 2027 election and urged aspiring female leaders to join political parties, participate in their structures and make their voices heard.