National Capital District Commission (NCDC), through its Family, Gender Equality, and Women’s Empowerment Branch, successfully hosted the National Women’s Day celebration last week at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium under the theme: Strongim “Meri, Protectim Rights, Buildim PNG”.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop, also the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, used the occasion to highlight the bold vision for the next 50 years of nationhood, under the national government’s reset@50 agenda.
In his keynote address, Governor Parkop emphasized that the Reset 50 agenda should identify gender equity and women’s empowerment as a primary goal and a non-negotiable outcome for the nation’s future.
“We must empower and recognize the National Council of Women as vital stakeholders in lifting the status of women over the next five decades,” Governor Parkop stated.
Governor Parkop highlighted that this new era has already begun with concrete legislative and financial commitments, including:
• The adoption of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV (2025–2036).
• A government commitment to allocate K108 million annually for the next 10 years to combat GBV.
• The adoption of the new National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (2025–2036).
• The formal decision to revive and reinstate the National Council of Women.
However, Governor Parkop issued a stern reminder that policy adoption is only the first step.
He urged women leaders from all levels of government and society not to go to sleep, stating that they must ensure more attention, resource allocation, and consistent effort is directed toward the actual implementation of these strategies.
Deputy City Manager Community and Social Services Ms. Edith Laufa thanked Governor Parkop for his dedication to addressing issues affecting women and girls of PNG at the national level as the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
Sharing her experiences working with NCDC at a young age in a male-dominated workplace to her current leadership role, Ms. Laufa encouraged young girls and other women to approach their work with dedication, resilience, and confidence to navigate challenges and inspire others.