NCD Governor, Powes Parkop has announced a K1.5 million allocation to revive the NCD Council of Women ahead of International Women’s Day celebrations.
The Governor made the announcement during a press conference this week while speaking about the upcoming International Women’s Day celebrations in the National Capital District.
He said the funding, included in this year’s budget, is aimed at restarting the council after a long period of inactivity and strengthening efforts to improve the status of women and girls in the city.
“In respect of taking steps towards improving the status of women and girls in our city and contributing to the national outcome, this year in our budget we have allocated K1.5 million to start up the Council of Women,” he told reporters in Port Moresby.
Governor Parkop described the funding as a start-up allocation, noting that there would be limited programming this year as the council works to re-establish itself.
“The Council of Women has been in hibernation for a while, so we need to get them to re-establish, look at the programs and activities that are important for them to undertake or develop to address the status of women and girls in our city,” he said.
He said the funds would be used to rent office space, build administrative capacity, carry out advocacy, and cover basic operational costs such as transport.
“After a very long absence of the Council of Women, we need to start up before we can do bigger and greater things,” Parkop said.
Governor Parkop expressed hope that the council would collaborate with other women’s organizations, non-government organizations and the National Capital District Commission to advance initiatives supporting women and girls.
Meanwhile, he also announced that on March 24, National Women’s Day, the city will launch a Women’s Economic Empowerment Program.
He said a minimum of K7 million has been allocated for the program, which will focus on supporting women entrepreneurs in both the informal and formal sectors, particularly those operating in markets.
“This program is mainly directed to the market,” he said, adding that full details of the initiative will be announced on March 24.