A Papua New Guinea election candidate says it's time to dispense with the double standard over gender in leadership.
Rigo Open candidate Gima Kepi. Photo: RNZI/ Johnny Blades
Gima Kepi is contesting in the Rigo Open district where she says women like her are acknowledged as leaders in their local communities.
This year there are a record 167 women among the total number of 3340 candidates.
But Ms Kepi said, in general in PNG, women candidates are often challenged in a way that male candidates aren't.
"There is a general perception that there is a double standard there. But I believe if we are given opportunities to get in there, then we prove ourselves... I mean how long do we have to prove ourselves? What more do we need to prove ourselves that we are capable of running our districts and this nation."
