The campaign to increase the number of women in Papua New Guinea's Parliament is once again on in earnest. PNG's only female parliamentarian Dame Carol Kidu will signal the start of the campaign next week. Then, if all things go to plan, the prime minister will put a motion to the vote later this month. Attempts to have a number of women nominated to parliament without facing the electorate failed in March when it was first put up.

Contending that the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form will benefit only those from affluent sections, Dalit and Muslim bodies demanded a sub-quota for women from weaker sections to ensure fair representation.

According to the United Nations, women are estimated to do 75 per cent of the world's work. And yet, they only own one per cent of the world's assets. In Malaysia, women only represent 10 per cent of the members of parliament, even though they make up half the population. In our schools, universities and other learning establishments, girls outperform boys. Universities have more girls reading technological, scientific and engineering courses. The boys tend to opt for subjects like media, religious studies and business. Although women constitute a large student movement and a formidable workforce, they are still poorly represented in the decision-making process. This includes personal, family, community and national levels.