Women's groups in Papua New Guinea have pledged to fight on and contest the June 2012 elections, after the government of Peter O'Neill failed for the third time to pass a law giving women 22 seats in the nation's male-dominated parliament.
"Absence of women has been part of the problem of why this country has been going down the drain and sold to the dogs, where no-one cares about our children, about the social services, about human rights issues, environmental destructions," said Dorothy Tekwie, founder of the PNG Women in Politics.
"These issues are pertinent to women and we are asking the people of Papua New guinea to make that come through in whatever seats women stand for."
The bill failed to pass parliament 58-1 on Wednesday after 21 MPs opposed to the historic laws solidifying last year's constitutional amendment guaranteeing the seats quit the chamber.
"If they didn't like the bill, they should have just remained in the chamber and voted against it," the Port Moresby based Post Courier quoted Peter O'Neill as saying.
"They should have made it clear where they stand, instead of walking out. We cannot continue to deceive our womenfolk if the numbers are just not going to be there to support it."
Read the complete story at Business Spectator, published 23 February 2012.
Women's groups in Papua New Guinea have pledged to fight on and contest the June 2012 elections, after the government of Peter O'Neill failed for the third time to pass a law giving women 22 seats in the nation's male-dominated parliament.
"Absence of women has been part of the problem of why this country has been going down the drain and sold to the dogs, where no-one cares about our children, about the social services, about human rights issues, environmental destructions," said Dorothy Tekwie, founder of the PNG Women in Politics.
"These issues are pertinent to women and we are asking the people of Papua New guinea to make that come through in whatever seats women stand for."
The bill failed to pass parliament 58-1 on Wednesday after 21 MPs opposed to the historic laws solidifying last year's constitutional amendment guaranteeing the seats quit the chamber.
"If they didn't like the bill, they should have just remained in the chamber and voted against it," the Port Moresby based Post Courier quoted Peter O'Neill as saying.
"They should have made it clear where they stand, instead of walking out. We cannot continue to deceive our womenfolk if the numbers are just not going to be there to support it."
Read the complete story at Business Spectator, published 23 February 2012.
MPs should make clear where they stand on bill
I agree with Peter O'Neill's comments that instead of walking out of the voting chamber to avoid a vote on the quota bill members of Parliament should be accountable for their stance on the quota. I think it would be very interesting for those who walked out to be publicized in advance of the next elections, so women voters can truly know where they stand.
I also think this article shows that although quotas help women gain seats, they can still be politically active and contest elections without the special measure. I wish the women of PNG well and look forward to watching their campaigns!
MPs should make clear where they stand on bill
I agree with Peter O'Neill's comments that instead of walking out of the voting chamber to avoid a vote on the quota bill members of Parliament should be accountable for their stance on the quota. I think it would be very interesting for those who walked out to be publicized in advance of the next elections, so women voters can truly know where they stand.
I also think this article shows that although quotas help women gain seats, they can still be politically active and contest elections without the special measure. I wish the women of PNG well and look forward to watching their campaigns!