The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Women’s Advisory Network (RPNGC WAN) celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, with a networking event attended by female officers from the Papua New Guinea Correctional Services and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
The RPNGC WAN is part of the wider Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women’s Advisory Network and promotes the principles of gender equality, strategic approaches to recruitment, training, career development and promotion of policewomen delivering services to communities.
From 6-8 March, Network Representatives from each province came together for a workshop funded by the Australian Government, to learn more about their roles and responsibilities as Provincial WAN Coordinators, and to draft the Constitution, which will be presented to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Gari Baki, for his approval.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Raphael Huafolo said: “The establishment of the RPNGC WAN complements our commitment to ensuring that gender equality is consistently maintained in the workplace across the country, and that women are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.”
Speaking at the event on International Women’s Day, Catherine Fitch from the Australian High Commission said: “Advancing women’s leadership and voices in decision-making, advancing women’s rights to equal opportunities, promoting women’s economic empowerment and ending violence against women and girls is fundamental to Australia’s partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea.”