Seminar Series: Abstract

Sound Leadership Can Empower Women: A View from the Law and Justice Sector in Papua New Guinea
Joe Kanekane

The role of sound leadership at both political and bureaucratic levels can progress developmental agendas. In this paper, I am looking at the opportunities that are available to women in PNG’s Law and Justice Sector, and how those at the helm have assisted in empowering women. I argue that there are two approaches to empowerment. Firstly, is the notion of promoting women by their merits to the next level of their job; and secondly, addressing some of the challenges they face such as access to justice, violence against women, recognizing their rights in work place. I will also try to establish the platform where global agendas sit with the local law and justice network, and how women have embraced this. I conclude with a number of emerging observations and how this can impact women’s empowerment in the sector