A week-long programme training Papua New Guinea female election candidates in parliamentary proceedings has begun in Port Moresby.
Fifty female candidates who planned to contest in the 2017 national elections were selected for the programme from over 200 applicants from across PNG.
The programme was organised by the United Nations Development Programme in coordination with the Office of Integrity of Political Parties, the Parliament and Department of Community Development and Religion, and culminates with a practice session in the parliament chamber next Monday.
The PNG flag flies outside parliament Photo: RNZI
The UNDP said that with only three female MPs out of 111 in PNG's current parliament, women continued to be under-represented as political leaders and elected officials.
It said highly qualified candidates from doctors to village women and females from other sectors of the community applied for the programme.
The final list of participants is available here
