Topic: World Politics. Two members sitting on opposite sides of Papua New Guinea's parliament are making waves after the country's most recent election. They were the first women voted into PNG's seat parliament in five years.
Kessy Sawang and Rufina Peter may be serving different constituents and different parties, but they share a bond. The pair met up last week for the first time since being voted in and embraced in a tight hug. And their success has reignited debate around how best to increase female representation in parliament. As PNG's more-than-month-long election was drawing to a close, there were fears it may result in another all-male parliament.
That was until Ms Peter was declared the new Governor of Central Province late on a Friday night, just days ahead of the first sitting day. For that reason, I'm very happy," she told the ABC. As she celebrated her win, Ms Sawang was still waiting on counting to be completed in her electorate. She took to Facebook to congratulate her fellow candidate. Rufina Peter attended the first sitting of parliament as the new Governor of Central Province.
On the first sitting day of the new parliament as the new MPs were sworn in and James Marape was returned as Prime Minister , counting in Ms Sawang's electorate on the other side of the country finished. As she joins the government, Ms Sawang says her focus is on improving the lives of people in her Rai Coast electorate by providing basic services like water and electricity and improving law and order.
But as one of only two women in the House, there is added pressure. Ms Peter similarly has a list of issues she wants to address in her region, but also has an eye on the many problems women face in PNG.
