PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S ONLY WOMAN member of parliament and the driver of a scheme to create reserved seats for women has confirmed her mid-year retirement.

Dame Carol Kidu told a Melanesian Alliance Party fundraising dinner that she was leaving politics satisfied she had made significant contributions to the nation.

She said that was something women and children, the disabled and youths could be proud of.

Her bill to create 22 reserved seats for women in parliament fell short last month of the number of votes required to pass it.

Dame Carol, who will have served in parliament for 15 years when she retires in July, also commended her party executives for continuing to keep one of PNG’s oldest political parties alive.

She says she’s enjoyed working with the National Alliance party led by Sir Michael Somare who trusted and allowed her to continue to be a minister in his coalition government.

She says the future of the Melanesian Alliance Party lies in young people’s hands and she’s urged party executives to recruit them to bring back a vision for the future.

Source: Radio New Zealand International