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 Women's Marches and Rallies are called on or around March 8th Each Year


Media Release - ARAWA, Central Bougainville, Monday 8th March 1999
 www.isis.aust.com/iwd/bougainville.htm

 

International Women’s Day Celebration - Bougainville 1999

  • Women of war-torn Bougainville Celebrate International Women’s Day,
  • Women remind leaders of their roles as traditional landowners,
  • Women re-iterate their part in the rebuilding of Bougainville.

International Women’s Day was celebrated today in Arawa by a gathering of over 700 women, in a crowd that marched from Arawa District Office to Independence Oval. A rally followed with traditional singsings, dances, choirs and youth performances combined with traditional bamboo flutes and string bands with extraordinary political compositions.

Women leaders from the Bougainville Constituent Assembly (BCA) of the Bougainville Reconciliation Government (BRG) Mrs. Lucy Morris, Bougainville Women for Peace and Freedom (BWPF) Vice President Mrs. Marcelline Tunim and the Bougainville Women’s Council (BWC) Ms. Therese Jaintong touched the hearts of all that heard them speak. Their messages expressed women’s desire for and commitment to Bougainville’s future, it’s peace, development and reconstruction as a free and independent homeland.

The celebrations, posters and the speeches all voiced the same message in a powerful celebration of unity as the women called for a Political Settlement, self-determination and independence for Bougainville.

The women want to be recognised as landowners exercising their right to determine their own future. All present, including the Bougainville men, were amazed to witness the political resolve of the women and the expression of their strength of conviction. Whether they were from ‘Care Centres" or from BRA controlled areas, women joined hands as they marched together.

Other speakers of note; Mr. James Tanis the Acting Co Chairman of the BCA and Mr. George Tarala, the District Manager in Arawa for Central Bougainville were invited to address the Women’s March. They expressed amazement at the event. They acknowledged the women working side by side with their men and leaders as they reconstruct and develop Bougainville from the ‘ashes’ of the last nine years of war.

For further information contact:
Ms. Rosemary Dikaung and Mrs.Marilyn Havini – Telephone: 02 – 9804 7632 Sydney

 

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