A female perspective on Bougainville's future

Transcript

MARCELLINE KOKIAI: At the moment, I am in the parliamentary committee of the referendum. Not long ago we went to Moresby to talk with the bipartisan committee of the national government. They were very good. They agreed that yes, we will get our referendum but talks are still going on so we have a very big task ahead of us. Even for me, being the only woman in the referendum committee. For me, it is a call within a call, but we need help from the UN. We need logistical help so I appeal to all people of good conscience. We will appreciate their help, very much.

DOMINIC GODFREY: Talking to the women of Bougainville, are you getting any sense at the moment about which way the women may be feeling in terms of the outcome of the referendum, whether people are moving towards more independence?"

MK: Yes, women are excited. The issue is hot. They are talking about the referendum but they do not know how to get there. They want to be educated. They want their own electoral commission. The electoral commission must be staffed with women to work there and they are very much in favour of the referendum. Why they are very much in favour? Because it gives meaning to their lives, to their hardships that they've gone through. It does not mean that when we get our referendum, all our problems will end there. No, that is just the beginning but I believe that as a woman's representative that for every problem, there is an answer. And I have a dream that each and every woman will take a lead for peace and reconciliation. We will forgive one another. We will pave the way forward, there is no turning back. We are now going towards peace and every single woman in Bougainville will take part in economic development for wealth creation because that's what our government lacks.