BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
BOUGAINVILLE women plan to maintain peace across Bougainville and the neighbouring Pacific nations.
This was stated according to the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) three-year strategic plan 2019-2021.
Speaking at the recent Bougainville Young Women’s meeting held at Arawa in Bougainville, Judith Oliver, BWF Executive Manager, said women in Bougainville have been very proactive in building peace across Bougainville and nearby countries in past years.
Ms Oliver said because of this good work of peacebuilding done in the past by women champions of Bougainville, the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) is now taking the lead to continue this good work.
“We will continue to maintain the peace building work across Bougainville and the nearby islands that experience the spill over the Bougainville crisis.
“This is one way we can build effective partnership in terms of fighting common issues affecting women and girls in the Pacific,” she said.
Oliver uttered peacebuilding across Bougainville have been one the BWF main priority in its three-year strategic plan 2019-2021
She said in carrying out this peace works they (BWF) are planning to involve Bougainville young women and the Papua New Guinea National Council of Women (PNGNCW).
Oliver said in terms of the peace work background it has been started through the implementation of then Bougainville peace agreement in 2001 soon after the conflict is ended.
She said hence the strategic plan period of 2019 to 2021 is an important timeframe for Bougainville.
She said not only that but the population is getting younger and half of the total population of 250,000 are teenagers therefore they (Bougainville women) will carry on peace building work the sake of the now generation.
