Papua New Guinea: IFES Conducts Lobby Training Program, PNG Parliament Poised to Vote on Reserved Seats for Women
After many years of advocacy, women’s groups and activists watched as the Parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG) voted to amend the constitution and create an additional 22 reserved seats for women. The 22 seats will be added to the current seats in parliament, held by 108 men and only one woman. Parliament also needs to pass an organic law on the reserved seats by a super majority of 73 votes. Parliament also needs to pass an organic law on the reserved seats by a super majority of 73 votes in order for it to go into effect.
IFES conducted a lobby training program for 25 activists as part of the U.S. State Department’s Women Advocating for Voices in Government project, working closely with the National Council for Women (NCW). One of the highlights of the training was a presentation by Dr. Eric Kwa, professor at the PNG University Law School, on how a bill becomes a law. Many participants did not understand the legislative process and few knew that the constitution was the supreme law of the land or that parliament could suspend rules and pass a law in one day.
To read the complete story visit the IFES website, published 24 January 2012. For additional information and too view photos from the training visit this link.
After many years of advocacy, women’s groups and activists watched as the Parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG) voted to amend the constitution and create an additional 22 reserved seats for women. The 22 seats will be added to the current seats in parliament, held by 108 men and only one woman. Parliament also needs to pass an organic law on the reserved seats by a super majority of 73 votes. Parliament also needs to pass an organic law on the reserved seats by a super majority of 73 votes in order for it to go into effect.
IFES conducted a lobby training program for 25 activists as part of the U.S. State Department’s Women Advocating for Voices in Government project, working closely with the National Council for Women (NCW). One of the highlights of the training was a presentation by Dr. Eric Kwa, professor at the PNG University Law School, on how a bill becomes a law. Many participants did not understand the legislative process and few knew that the constitution was the supreme law of the land or that parliament could suspend rules and pass a law in one day.
To read the complete story visit the IFES website, published 24 January 2012. For additional information and too view photos from the training visit this link.