Papua New Guinea's new government has been called on to prioritise efforts to combat domestic and gender-based violence. Fiona Hukula of the National Research Institute said various forms of violence against women and children were having lasting impacts on the wider community.
Progress has been made in terms of government endorsing a national strategy against gender based violence, Dr Hukula said.
But high-level co-ordination is needed to properly implement the strategy, she said.
"Our national strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence is focussing on prevention, but it has got to be done in a holistic way, and this has got to be led by the government.
"We can't have the agenda being pushed by outsiders or donors, which is a perception at the moment."
Prominent forms of violence against women and children which PNG is grappling with include rape, sexual assault and violence related to sorcery accusations.
"It doesn't only affect the survivor, the woman or the man, but it affects families, it affects communities. It has an effect on jobs because when people are injured, they can't come to work," she said.
According to Dr Hukula, prioritising efforts to combat these would be consistent with the stated aim of new prime minister James Marape to build a strong and resilient economy.
"I think that in order for us to have that strong and resilient economy, we need to have healthy people, we have to address social issues that impact on productivity, employment."
The leader of the Institute's Building Safer Communities programme, Dr Hukula said what was also required was adequate allocation of resources, more workers on the ground in the provinces and increased support for referral processes.
The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to gender-based violence was endorsed by government in 2016, but Dr Hukula said "that's a piece of paper that needs to be implemented".
She said to date, the Law and Justice Sector had done a good job in overseeing the country's response to domestic and gender-based violence.
"But there's now got to be better connection between other sectors like the health and social sector which is very important.
"People need medical evidence, they need medical help, it's a mental health issue as well."
By Divya Venkataraman & Jonathan Pryke - The Lowy Institude
Gender equality is fundamental to human development. Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour and biggest recipient of Australia’s bilateral development aid globally – but significant and persistent inequalities remain when it comes to the status of women in society, sexual violence and representation in politics. So, what are Australia’s obligations and how is Australia’s aid helping?
In the mainstream sphere, the conversation on aid distribution often begins and ends at geographic and country distribution. But sectoral breakdown matters, too. How does Australian aid address fundamental problems that women face in daily life? Should we be focussing more on gender equity across the region?
In PNG, the female population is underrepresented in schools, universities and the workforce. Family violence is endemic, and women continue to be traded as property because of enduring cultural norms that attach to women a “bride price” in some parts of the country. PNG’s gender inequality index score as of 2017 was 0.741, which gave it a ranking of 153 out of 189 countries.
But numbers wise, it’s dire straits all across the Pacific. The percentage of women in parliament in the Pacific is a paltry 8.2% and men outnumber women two to one in all paid employment, except in the agricultural sector where women fare a little better. But there is currently a round total of zero women in parliament in PNG, a figure matched only by two other Pacific nations: the Federated states of Micronesia and Vanuatu. If Australia is to tackle this level of inequality, we need to focus on targeted implementation of aid.
Women in PNG fare a little better in the agricultural sector but typically men outnumber women two to one in all paid employment (Photo: Kim Eaton/UN Women)
PNG’s aid concentration is remarkable by global standards. According to the Lowy Institute Pacific Aid Map, in 2011-2016, 63% of aid which flowed to PNG came from Australia. With this generosity comes great responsibility.
Gender is on the minds of aid policy-makers. The Australian government has committed to give up to $320 million over the period between 2012–2022 to addressing gender in the Pacific. Australia’s flagship program on gender equality in the Pacific, “Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development”, aims to empower women to create change as they envision it for themselves. As the 2017–18 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade review states, “Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development projects enabled more than 19,000 women and girls to access support, including counselling, health and justice services, including for sorcery accusation-related cases”. But mostly, the information surrounding the effectiveness of aid in PNG is patchy and difficult to verify.
DFAT also has an 80% target for including gender as in its delivery of aid programs. However, it is the only one of ten targets yet to be achieved.
Churches shoulder a
significant proportion
of the blame for the
continuing ill-treatment
of women in the Pacific
… domestic violence
is justified with reference
to skewed interpretations
of scripture.
There are also systemic issues in the implementation of aid in PNG generally, due to the sheer breadth of the aid program, issues of governance and corruption and the mismanagement of government funds. Archaic, entrenched values play their part as well: major gaps in sexual health and education for women in PNG can be in part linked to the nation’s deep Christian foundations which have fostered widespread suspicion of contraceptives and sexual health education.
UnitingWorld’s Bronwyn Fraser points to churches as shouldering a significant proportion of the blame for the continuing ill-treatment of women in the Pacific. This is based on literal interpretations of passages preached in order to entrench inequality, where domestic violence is justified with reference to skewed interpretations of scripture. However, churches can also be part of the solution, as shown in the instituting of DFAT’s Church Partnerships Program which has led to positive change in the arena.
But it is particularly hard to address gender equality in PNG through aid because of the difficulty in establishing good governance systems free from corruption and the necessary safeguards to ensure that women get the protection they deserve. The lack of political participation of women in PNG, as mentioned above, is also a hindrance to the level of impact that Australian aid can actually have in terms of improving gender equality. Internal, national resistance to change in PNG will be a tough obstacle to overcome.
Despite these challenges, there are ways that Australia can progressively improve its aid to achieve wider net impact in the future. Sweden has been a proponent of a “feminist foreign policy” since 2014, committing its international strategy to improving the status of women around the world. Importantly, a focussed policy such as Sweden’s recognises the relevance of gender equality to other forms of development, including social, economic and political. And moreover, it goes towards boosting Sweden’s objectives worldwide: equal participation of women in society does wonders for economic development, the proliferation of peace and reduces crime. Canada, too, has positioned gender equality at the forefront of its foreign policy, stating that this approach:
does not limit the focus of our efforts to women and girls; rather, it is the most effective way to fight the root causes of poverty that can affect everyone: inequality and exclusion.
Julie Bishop left a significant legacy as Australia’s first female foreign minister in her re-positioning of gender as a central concern in foreign policy. Despite a rocky relationship with the word “feminist”, Bishop in power instituted the 80% female empowerment target in foreign aid and elevated gender equality to become a key priority of foreign policy. It’s up to Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong now push for renewed and more focussed direction of this policy within the Pacific region.
Australia’s influence in PNG has great potential to change the everyday lives on women in the country. A newly-elected government in Australia and a recent political transformation in PNG could bring new numbers to the table on foreign aid. But the challenge will be focussing it in the right places.
The Pacific Islands Forum says the region's Blue Pacific voice will be at the forefront of talks underway in Suva on the ACP negotiations with the European Union.
Representatives from 13 Pacific states are holding a two day regional workshop as they prepare to replace the current arrangement, the Cotonou Agreement.
There are 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific nations, that are beneficiaries under the ACP-EU agreement made with the 28 EU members.
The deal to replace Cotonou will be signed in Samoa in 2020.
The Forum head office is hosting the workshop and Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, said at the forefront of their minds are the principles and objectives of the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, with Pacific leaders wanting to see their Blue Pacific future determined by their own priorities.
She said the Pacific wants development to be more effective, more co-ordinated and to make a real difference to the people of the region.
FIONA HUKULA | National Research Institute | Edited
PORT MORESBY - In his maiden speech as prime minister, James Marape, stated that Papua New Guinea’s economy will be the key priority for his government.
Mr Marape also reiterated the need to maximise local benefits from the extraction of the country’s natural resources.
It is important to note that a strong and resilient economy will have a positive impact on men, women and children.
However, a prosperous, secure and equitable society requires continued and concerted effort in addressing fundamental problems that affects women and children. Gender-based violence is a key issue which requires continued government attention.
All forms of violence against women and children such as rape, sexual assault and violence related to sorcery accusation affects individuals, families and communities.
Violence against women affects their mental and physical health; and their mobility and productivity.
In the case of children, violence in the home affects their education and general well-being.
Significant progress has been made in terms of instituting a response and raising awareness about violence against women, however there is still much to be done.
The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2016-2025 was endorsed in December 2016 by the cabinet that now prime minister Marape was part of.
But to date the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat has not been set up.
At present the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) continues to champion the work in addressing family and sexual violence and gender-based violence.
A number of provinces have taken the initiative to address family and sexual violence and wider gender-based violence issues through provincial Family and Sexual Violence Action Committees.
Sorcery accusation-related violence continues to be an ongoing problem in certain provinces.
The national action plan to address sorcery accusation and related violence was endorsed in 2015 and the Department of Justice and Attorney General and the FSVAC provides leadership in rolling out the plan to selected provinces.
Better coordination and assistance for survivors of sorcery accusation and related violence is needed as it can lead to extreme forms of violence, displacement, stigma and social isolation.
Key target areas for attention include:
Government ownership of the gender-based violence agenda through high level coordination at the national level.
Adequate allocation of resources and increased support for referral pathways.
A holistic approach towards addressing the needs of survivors, perpetrators and their families.
Gender-based violence will continue to be a major social problem in PNG and it is incumbent that the present government continues to support the strengthening of the referral pathways so that survivors can access timely medical, social and legal care.
While there needs to be more research into the area of perpetrator programs, it is becoming evident that this is a gap in the provision of gender-based violence services available in the country.
A holistic, locally owned and driven response to gender-based violence will hopefully see more perpetrators being held to account for their behaviour and a decrease in violence against women and children in PNG.
Dr Fiona Hukula is Building Safer Communities Program Leader at the PNG National Research Institute
Technical jobs are no longer for men.
As more women continue to break barriers and thrive in these fields.
Many women have moved on to become managers and supervisors in fields where men used to be team leaders, supervisors and managers, especially in the mining, shipping and aviation industries, to name a few.
They have not only held higher positions in those male-dominated fields but have delivered and continue to deliver quality services to the organisations they are attached with.
Three more Papua New Guinean women have proven this trend by becoming the first certified and qualified women to handle and operate the new rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.
The three women were part of a contingent of six operators who underwent a week-long high skilled set training in Manila, Philippines at the International Container Terminal Service, Inc. (ICTSI) headquarters.
The women have overshadowed the odds of being in a male dominated environment and have worked alongside their male counterparts which is quite challenging but it’s something they really enjoyed doing.
For instance, operating of huge cranes and working in a busy environment like the shipping industry providing services in loading and off loading containers.
In such cases, critical thinking, analysis and timing is crucial and challenging and demands commitment, self-sacrifice and determination to handle the job well.
However, for the three women, they are up for the challenge and are always ready to deliver what is needed from them.
The female operators Nelly Joseph, Daphney Nasinom and Nasunu Joe are currently employed by South Pacific International Container Terminal. They have furthered their training in Manila, Philippines and recently returned.
They are specialised in operating the new RTGs 16-wheeled electric powered cranes which will power the international container terminal in Lae to meet international standards.
These three women were part of the second batch of operators who underwent specialised high tactical training skills under the ICTSI skills development pathway program to equip and develop skills, giving the locals an opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in the various aspects of container terminal
services.
The women were very grateful for the privilege and opportunity given and stand ready to deliver what they have learned from the training.
A grade 10 school leaver who is also a big dreamer and does not give up easily, Vani K Nades, has taken the extra mile to make her dream a reality. Vani’s story is one of perseverance and her journey is an inspiration to Papua New Guinean women. Being educated in the village and falling short in her grade 10 marks did not deter Vani’s fighting spirit to succeed in life. Vani worked hard, broke barriers and earned herself an international degree from Australia’s Southern Cross University. Vani has led more than 100 employees with 12 managers of different business units during her time with one of the best institutions, now a university – the Institute of Business Studies. The institute focuses on giving a second chance to school leavers, creating competency training for corporate clients and youth empowerment programs. Vani, an emerging female leader, has already made a difference and significant contribution to the business community and the nation. She left her full time job five years ago to start her own business, Emstret Holdings Limited. It is an internet service provider in PNG focusing on giving access to rural schools and communities. In just five years of taking the bold step to become an entrepreneur, Vani achieved the following: – Founder and chief executive officer of Emstret Holdings Limited; – Founder of Voices and Villages Foundation Inc – a charity arm of Emstret Holdings focused on impacting the communities through education, health, agriculture, clean water and solar solutions; – Owned rental properties; – Initiated Emstret School Challenge program that involves debate, spelling bee and poetry that have been running for 10 years; – Initiated Melanesian school debate championships since 2014; – Created history in PNG by sponsoring PNG’s first debate team to participate in world championships in Croatia in 2018; – Became a TedEd club member in 2018, focusing on children from eight to 18 years; – Established Little CEO Pizza Company Limited; and – About to launch Emstret Space – a co-working space for startup SME and community space. Growing up in the rural village, Vani experienced firsthand daily struggles. She was determined to make a change. Vani started her charity foundation and her projects in the Central Province in collaboration with donors and partners included: – Education: Building classrooms, providing text books and library books, stationeries and donating solar lighting to schools; – Water and sanitation projects that were recently completed for Magautou village; – Health: Providing free medical services to villages like Kalo, Hula, Kamali and Kerema in Gulf province; and – Supplying food to flood victims; Vani’s continuous work in various programs and her contribution to nation building in PNG has gained her the following recognition and awards; – Southern Cross University Australia Annual Entrepreneur Award, 2018; – PNG LNG ExxonMobil MSME Digital Innovation Award, 2018 (ABAC MSME Summit); – NASFUND People’s Choice Award, 2018 (ABAC MSME Summit); – ZUMBA Fitness Instructor; – Professional Certificate in Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing UK (2017); – Bachelors Degree in Accounting, 2000 (Southern Cross University, Australia); and – Board member of POM Chamber of Commerce and PNG Institute of Directors. Having demonstrated good governance, accountability and transparency in her work, Vani was named as a finalist, in a pool of three, in the Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Award in the SP Brewery Entrepreneur category. On Friday, March 8, 2019, winners of the WOW Awards were announced as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby. SP Brewery managing director, Stan Joyce, announced Vani Nades as the winner of the SP Brewery Entrepreneur award. Thrilled with her award, Vani said: “It’s a great privilege to receive this award from SP Brewery because SP supports SMEs and entrepreneurs. “To be recognised by SP Brewery will go a long way to help support my business. With the support and recognition from a big company like SP Brewery, my business is motivated to keep striving.” She said the win has given her the drive to push her boundaries to look for solutions and make an impact in the community. “It is my dream to make the internet accessible to everyone in the community,” she said. Mr Joyce said: “It’s important for big companies like SP to support local SMEs as this helps grow PNG’s economy.” Vani’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas are guided by her personal values and beliefs that govern her actions daily. This has earned her respect and integrity in the business community and has paved way for her businesses to prosper. Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/meet-2019-sp-brewery-entrepreneur-award-winner/
Dozens of shipping containers of surplus medical equipment from the old Royal Adelaide Hospital are now on their way to developing countries.
The supplies range from old beds and other furniture to life-saving medical devices, and are being donated to 24 countries, including Australia's near-neighbour Papua New Guinea.
Shila Paia, who was born there, has helped raise thousands of dollars to allow some of the equipment to be shipped to PNG from Adelaide.
"The access to services isn't there, the basic primary health care isn't there — women are deprived, they are dying giving birth and children are dying," she said of PNG's dire lack of health services.
"This is going to make a lot of difference. Simple things like syringes are going to make a lot of difference.
"[Sometimes] a mother could be taking her child for immunisation to a clinic and the child could miss out just because there is no syringe there."
Ms Paia said simple items could make a big difference.
"Most of the time we take for granted a lot of things, even simple things like gloves for example, we take it for granted here [in Australia]," she said.
It will take six weeks for the containers destined for PNG to arrive there, and a team of doctors and nurses from Adelaide will help teach local health workers how to install and use some of the more complex machines.
Anaesthetist Yasmin Endlich is looking forward to her trip north.
“I want to be there when that container arrives. I want to be able to show the people how to set the equipment up and how to use it safely," she said.
"It's extremely hard to look at all this stuff that is coming out of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, not knowing what it is and where it should go."
About 30 charity groups and hundreds of volunteers have worked hard to clear out thousands of items from the former hospital site in the Adelaide CBD.
Among other countries to benefit are Cambodia, Ghana, Kurdistan, Mongolia, Sierra Leone, Timor Leste and Uganda.
Posted by PNG Today Two youth leaders from Papua New Guinea were named as finalists in the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Awards.
The founder of a youth-led organisation in PNG that uses sport as tool to end violence against women Jacqueline Joseph and architect Raylance Mesa are among 17 young change-makers from 13 countries are in the running to be named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at an awards ceremony to be held on March 15 at Marlborough House, London.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for excellence in development work celebrate outstanding adolescents and young adults aged 15–29 from Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Americas, Africa and Europe, who are leading initiatives ranging from poverty alleviation to peace-building. This year’s group of finalists are recognised for spearheading projects that will contribute to the sustainable development goals – a set of 17 global targets that governments have committed to achieve by 2030.
Commonwealth Secretariat youth director Katherine Ellis said: “Through their own initiative, young leaders in communities across the world are delivering on the ambitious agenda set by governments on everything from eliminating hunger to protecting the environment.” The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges including representatives of Commonwealth High Commissions, Commonwealth organisations and young leaders. The shortlisted finalists hail from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Uganda and United Kingdom.
Jacqueline Joseph is the founder of Equal Playing Field, a not-for-profit organisation that uses sport as a tool to prevent violence against women and children and promote gender equality in schools. She created Equal Playing Field for school (EPF4S), an eight-week respectful relationships programme that uses sport to engage with adolescent boys and girls to promote gender equality. Through the programme, Joseph educates around two thousand 13 to 15-year-old girls and boys in schools in Port Moresby each year about the importance of respectful relationships as a way to reduce family and sexual violence. He programmes fulfil one of the sustainable development goals (5) which gender equality While Raylance Mesa is an architect working to promote quality education for rural schools while also building critical infrastructure such as libraries, schools and housing for teachers. She also led awareness raising campaigns on climate change resulting in island communities building sea walls constructed from dead coral reefs, coconut trunks and logs. Mesa’s programme accounts to fulfil one of the ustainable development goal (4) which is quality education.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: U.S. Embassy Port Moresby is pleased to announce that Veronica Simogun has been honored as the East Asia and Pacific awardee for the 2017 U.S. Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award. Ms. Simogun was honored as this year’s awardee in recognition of her work as an advocate for women and children who have been victims of violence.
U.S. Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray said she was thrilled to honor Veronica as the 2017 nominee for the International Women of Courage Award for Papua New Guinea.
“Veronica is very deserving of the International Women of Courage Award based on her consistent actions and courageous stance on rescuing, defending and caring for women and children who are survivors of violence,” Ambassador Ebert-Gray said. “She is a change agent for the human rights of women and children in Papua New Guinea.”
The U.S. Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award honors women around the globe who have exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and social progress — often at great personal risk.
Ms Simogun is in Washington, D.C. for the official awards ceremony and a program of activities as part of the State Department’s observance of International Women’s Day in March. The program began on March 25 will continue through April 8 in the United States. Ms. Simogun will return to PNG on April 10.
Ms. Simogun is the founder of the Family for Change Association based in Wewak, East Sepik Province. Because of the support she provides for victims of violence, her own life has been threatened yet she continues to work tirelessly and selflessly.
Ms. Simogun started Family for Change in response to the high levels of family violence that she was seeing in her community. She has taken a courageous stance in rescuing and caring for vulnerable women and children in the face of threats of violence and verbal intimidation directed at her. Because of her work to protect them from abusive partners and relatives and to find safe homes for victims, she has become a hero to thousands in her community.
Family for Change has provided support services for more than 6,000 cases. The Association has also repatriated or safely reintegrated more than 60 survivors of domestic violence, providing durable solutions in a society where there are few options for women who choose to leave abusive relationships. In addition, Ms. Simogun has developed a program which she presents in schools to address the root causes of family violence and promote behavior change for men and boys.
When asked to describe what keeps her going in the face of such danger, Ms. Simogun said that she is not bothered when people harass or threaten her. She believes in protecting the women and children who are victims of violence in East Sepik province and that through education and awareness, her generation can influence young men and boys to become supportive partners in violence-free homes.
First lady Melania Trump presents the 2017 Secretary's of State's International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award to Veronica Simogun from Papua New Guinea, March 29, 2017, at the State Department in Washington.
STATE DEPARTMENT —
U.S. first lady Melania Trump, in a rare solo public appearance, presented the International Women of Courage Award to 13 women in Washington on Wednesday.
"These honorees on the stage with me have fought for their rights and for the rights of others. Each [of them] battle forces, such as governments, the courts, gender bias, terrorism, war and corruption, and were willing, in each moment, to face harsh penalties including imprisonment and death," Trump said.
“Together, with the international community, the United States must send a clear message that we are watching. It is therefore our duty to continue to shine the light on each miraculous victory achieved by women— all capable of trying, truly leading the change to fight for those that cannot fight for themselves,” she said.
WATCH: First Lady Presents International Women of Courage Award
The Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award honors women around the world for exhibiting courage and leadership in their advocacy for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk.
The award often honors women who have been imprisoned, tortured or threatened with death or serious harm for standing up for justice, human rights and the rule of law.
This year, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, the Vietnamese green blogger and environmental activist known as “Mother Mushroom,” could not attend because she’s been in prison since October 2016.
The State Department has consistently called on the government of Vietnam to provide for Quynh’s immediate release.
“We believe that international recognition for her courage and advocacy will help bring attention to her work to address corruption and promote human rights in Vietnam,” State Department East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau spokesperson Grace Choi told VOA.
“We hope that the award will shed a spotlight on the issue of freedom of expression, including on the Internet, in Vietnam,” Choi added.
First lady Melania Trump presents the 2017 Secretary's of State's International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award to Sister Carolin Tahhan Fachakh from Syria, March 29, 2017, at the State Department in Washington.
In Colombia, a law that increases penalties on attackers who use chemical agents was passed in January of 2016, bearing the name of Natalia Ponce de Leon. She survived an acid attack three years ago and has been an advocate for the rights of burn victims. The law also requires the ministry of health to improve training in hospital burn units for acid attacks and other burn victims.
“During my recovery, I understood that I had two options: the easy way, I could lie in bed, filling myself up with hate and anger; or the hard way, standing strong and making all these tragedies something greater. And so I did,” Natalia Ponce de Leon told an audience at the State Department.
Major Aichatou Ousmane Issaka became one of the first women in Niger to join the army in 1996. She was recognized for her advocacy to raise awareness about gender sensitivities in conflict areas.
Traveling to the United States for the first time, Veronica Simogun from Papua New Guinea was honored for her campaign to protect women from gender based violence.
“I am fighting for equality, gender justice in my country. I deal with these cases all the time. There’s a lot of abuses and a lot of discrimination,” Simogun told VOA.
“Women’s voices need to be heard, and there should be equality for women and children.”
Since its creation in 2007, the program has awarded more than 100 women from 60 countries.
Trump presented the awards alongside Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon.
First lady Melania Trump presents the 2017 Secretary's of State's International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award to Major Aichatou Ousmane Issaka, from Niger, March 29, 2017, at the State Department in Washington.After the ceremony, the women will travel to a number of American cities on individual International Visitor Leadership Programs before reconvening in Los Angeles to discuss further collaboration to improve the lives of women and girls across the globe.
The 2017 awardees are:
Sharmin Akter, Activist Against Early/ Forced Marriage, Bangladesh
Malebogo Molefhe, Human Rights Activist, Botswana
Natalia Ponce de Leon, President, Natalia Ponce de Leon Foundation, Colombia
Rebecca Kabugho, Political and Social Activist, Democratic Republic of Congo
Jannat Al Ghezi, Deputy Director of The Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, Iraq
Major Aichatou Ousmane Issaka, Deputy Director of Social Work at the Military Hospital of Niamey, Niger
Veronica Simogun, Director and Founder, Family for Change Association, Papua New Guinea
Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista, Lawyer and Founder of Not One Woman Less, Peru
Sandya Eknelygoda, Human Rights Activist, Sri Lanka
Sister Carolin Tahhan Fachakh, Member, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (F.M.A.), Syria
Saadet Ozkan, Educator and Gender Activist, Turkey
Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, Blogger and Environmental Activist, Vietnam
