Political party formed by women following Mele VNCW Conference

May 22, 2018 | Initiatives and Projects | 0

A political party has been formed, following the end of the 15th national Conference of the Vanuatu National Council of Women (VNCW) held at the Farea Pasifika at Mele village on Efate.

The role of the party is to help achieve 50% gender equality in every decision-making body of the country, primarily the Parliament of Vanuatu.

The party named, Leleon Vanua Party (LVP), was launched by the Coalition for Gender Equality in Parliament, whose advisor former MP Hilda Lini, made the declaration of the party at the launching on behalf of the group immediately after the VNCW Congress closed.

The formation of the party came after the 15th Conference of VNCW endorsed Outcome Statement 4 of the VNCW Influencing Forum to establish a political party in line with Article 1.9 of the Constitution of VNCW – “To encourage women to take active part in political, social and economic culture and religion in ways that will improve the status of women in Vanuatu.”

The vision of LVP is: Unity and Peace, its Mission: Mobilize women and men for political participation. The party’s Goal is: Build a good future for everyone to live in peace and unity. Its Motto: True Happiness. Its objectives: To prepare women leaders to be able to take up their place alongside the men in Parliament, and to manage the national economy in line with the economic vision of the Independent Vanuatu.

Membership of the party is open to any woman, man and organization that agrees to the party’s membership criteria of: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Faithfulness, Humility, Self-Control, and Goodness.

LVP will operate under a structure made up of 18 coordinating Committees around the country, a National Executive Committee and a National Congress.

An Interim Executive Committee/Steering Committee was announced at the launch of the party to direct the party until the first National Congress meets in either October or November 2018 to elect the National Executive Committee.

The Interim Executive Committee is made up of: Interim President – Merilyn Temakon; Vice President – Letty Kaltonga; Secretary General – Hilda Lini; Assistant SG – Mary Jack; Treasurer – Nicole Kalo; Assistant Treasurer – Pastor Ruth Fred; Advisor – VNCW.

Out of courtesy to the chiefs of Mele, a letter was sent by the Coalition for Gender Equality in Parliament to the two leaders of the village, informing them of the decision to launch the Leleon Vanua Party at the Farea Pasifika at Mele on Friday, May 18, 2018.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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