BOUGAINVILLE MP WANTS MORE SERVICES

June 10, 2005 - (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) The only female member of the caretaker cabinet in Papua New Guinea's province of Bougainville is urging the new government to focus on providing basic services to the island's female population.

Magdeline Toroansi says women have played an important role in bringing about peace in Bougainville.

The former PNG diplomat and regional women's representative for South Bougainville says she wants women's efforts to be recognised.

She says women should be encouraged to become more involved in the operation of the province.

"The main thing that I hope the autonomous Bougainville government will bring for women will be to make sure working with the family unit and bringing them through the system of council of elders," she said.

From: http://abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1388876.htm