Wives and working class women from the National Cultural Commission has incorporated a women group named Melanesian Women’s Association with the support from the Office of the Executive Director at the Executive Services Division with the initiative to self-sustain and empower all women flock.
The Melanesian Women Association Women is the brainchild National Cultural Commission Executive Director Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda perceive the importance of women empowerment as the center of development and sustainability for the organization’s growth and success.
The Association held its first meeting with its members last week at the National Cultural Commission Head Quarters in Port Moresby.
Executive Director of National Cultural Commission Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda stresses this association is purposely established to help empower our women flock to self-sustain and engaged them into economical activities that will benefit their families.
Mr. Kilanda firstly emphasised that the idea to form this association was one of his visions therefore it is also a project under the National Cultural Commission.The purpose to establish this association is for the following reasons to eradicate domestic violence against women in the workplace and at homes.
Secondly, to encourage women to engage in SME (sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, baking…etc) to become financially independent.
Engaging in the SME business will assist our families financially hence Mr. Kilanda has urged the MWA members to effectively participate. He further stressed that engaging in such activities will enable us to encourage, uplift and assist each other through trials and tribulations.
Mr. Kilanda also stated gender inequality is a problem faced everywhere even in workplaces hence he informed the members that NCC is trying its best to practise gender equality therefore, three of the senior managerial positions in NCC are occupied by female officers another female officer confirmed in the executive manager position.
The members were encouraged to place their emphasis on three main areas of;
- Women in Culture: As it is a project of the National Cultural Commission, it is eminent to uphold some of our traditional customs and cultures in which women participate in by conducting awareness, documentations, presentation.
- Women in SME: The association’s effective participation and engagement in activities and workshops on how to generate income from little sales conducted.
- Gender equality and family rehabilitation.
Mr. Kilanda urged the officers of NCC to assist the MWA and treat it as part of our jobs as it will benefit us as well. He also highlighted that the Melanesian Women Association is guided by its constitution therefore, the Executive Director or the officers of NCC are prohibited to make any financial decisions concerning the association however, the National Cultural Commission will assist wherever possible.
Melanesian Women’s Association President Mrs. Nilson Enomb Kilanda firstly welcomed points out that for the association to fully function and perform its roles, it needs to have in possession all the valid and vital documents in place.
She further advised the members all the necessary documents such as (IPA Certificate, MWA Constitution, MWA Profile, IRC Tin Certificate, Stamp, Postal Box…etc) have been obtained. Mrs. Kilanda informed the members that the executives will review and develop a plan based on the information that were provided in the forms which was previously circulated amongst the members during the fourth (4th) meeting in 2022.
A Strategic Plan will be developed as well basically indicating the short term, medium term and long-term plans for the association. This plan will be our guide to enable us to achieve our short, medium- and long-term plans.
The Melanesian Women’s Association and the MWA website will be launched simultaneously during Mother’s Day celebration on 09th May 2023.
