ABOUT
US
MISSION & HISTORY.
The women of Bougainville played a leading role in the peacebuilding and reconciliation process that led to the end of the Bougainville Crisis (1988-1997). They continued this role through the implementatoin of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (2001) and the inauguration of the first Autonomous Bougainville Government (2005). From this base of strength,
the minister for Community Development, Magdaline Toroansi, helped organize a forum for all women leaders of Bougainville. This formed the basis for the Bougainville Women's Federation (BWF) which was born in 2006 and offcially registered in 2012.
From 2012 BWF BWF focused on empowering women leaders of Bougainville, supporting the Autonomous Bougaiville Government (ABG) with the peace and reconsiliation process, and helping women emerge form the cirisis through empowerment activities throughout Bouganiville.
BWF played a key role in the 2019 referendum on Bougainville's future political status, when 97.7 per cent of Bougainvillea voters chose independence from Papua New Guinea over greater autonomy for the region. BWF worked to help all women understand the process and importance of the referendum as well as to fight for greater women representation at all levels, from the community to the national parliment.
In 2020, the Bougainville Women's Federation Act was passed by the ABG House of Representatives, establishing BWF as the peak non-governmental organisation representing the interests of women and women's oraganisations in Bougainville.
OUR VISION: Women and girls are equal partners in Bougainville
OUR MISSION: Bougainville Women's Federation will:
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Serve as the peak representative body for the women of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville
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Work for the empowerment of women, ensuring the women's voices are heard ar all levels of decision-making.
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Exercise influence in all matters concerning gender equality and the participation of women in Bouganville's development.
OUR VALUES: Human dignity and respect. Christian principles and cultural traditions. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity, regardless of age, disability, status or background.
"Bougainville's future is like a bird, with women as one wing.
With women's equal participation, the bird will fly high and far"
BWF is governed by its Executive Counsel which consistents of the three Regional Vice Presidents, the President, the Executive Officer, the Treasurer, and a Young Women representative. The Executive Counsel oversees the regional and district federations, provides strategic guidance. and ensures that BWF is aligned with its mission and vision.
The head office is located within Buka Town, adjacent to Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency's Office and opposite to City Pharmacy.
The office includes the Secretariat, EO, Admin and other program staff.
The head office runs its national programs, coordinates with the ABG, trains and empowers district and young women leaders, and runs programs in coordination with our partners. You can meet the team - here.
Each district has its own executives. This generally includes a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The district presidents work with women at the community government level and they approve all membership applications in their district.
BWF has two annual general meetings each year and one congress every three years where leaders are elected. The AGMs are open to all BWF leadership including district presidents, regional vice presidents. The National Congress is open to all affiliated BWF members. During the Naitonal Congress, new leaders are voted in. Meet our current leadership - here.
In order to become a BWF member, a group of no less than ten women must be formed which has a focus on women's issues. Membership applications are approved by the district leaders. Membership fees are collected on the district level and manged by the district office to run their programs.
STRUCTURE & MEMBERSHIP.
WHAT WE DO.
Young Women Peace Building Project
This project supports Bougainville young women leaders to connect with political networks and leverage opportunities to engage with and build inclusive peace and political decision-making processes. Three one-week Peace Education Trainings will be conducted in the three regions of Bougainville. The target for these trainings is 60 participants (20 from each region).
The project outcomes are that young women gain knowledge and skills in:
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Peace building education.
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Nation building.
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Conflict analysis and management
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Conflict transformation and resolution
These knowledge and skills will enable the young women to help themselves, their families and community in solving some of the conflicts that may arise.
If funds are available in the near future, these 60 participant should continue and attend a 3 week intensive course to become recognised peace builders in their communities.
Young Women Led Climate Adaption Initiative
BWF is focused on ensuring that communities are prepared as possible to the potentially devastating effects of climate climate now and in the future. We are currently working on a Young Women Led Climate Adaptation inititive. This is a four months pilot program that aims to support the Young women organizations, including those with disability, to use traditional knowledge and climate services information to influence adaptability and disaster risk preparedness at the national and regional level.The expected outcomes of this program are:
1. To strengthened and support women and girl’ voice and visibility using traditional knowledge.
2. To demonstrate a collaborative movement led approach in their communities to influence climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
3. To drive inclusive and intergenerational collaboration for climate justice and human security. (Inform policy recommendations to national government as well).
Following the pilot duration, the project will enable 150 women and girls across the three target community government, receiving trainings on Disaster Risk Reduction & Preparedness and human security.
Strongim Meri
The goal of this project is to bring stronger representatation to the women of bougainville and to stengthen the established structure of Regional and District Women’s Federations.
Initatives within this program include:
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Lobbying with the Bougainville House of Representatives, regional members of Parliament, Department of Community Government and the Community Government leaders.
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Day of activism. This includes running or working with parnters on national and international days of activism including International Women's Day, National Women's Day, the Bougainville Chocolate Festival, and 16 Days of Activism.
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Leadership training - this focus on building capacity of current and potential young and mature leaders. Programs include economic empowerment and SME, human rights, and peace building.
Bougainville Seniors Leaders Professional Development Program (BSLPDP)
The BSLPDP seeks to support the professional development needs of senior government officials from Bougainville and the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) to strengthen the development of a unique, ethical and inclusive Bougainville society. The BSLPDP will focus on sharing knowledge through experiences and stories from relevant Melanesian, Australian (especially First Nations) and other contexts, and letting participants apply and develop these in relation to their own unique situations. Partnership, valuing local knowledge generation and innovation, and inclusion and gender-sensitivity are key themes.
BWF’s role is to provide project management services in Bougainville (including to provide input as required into budgeting and finance reporting; arrangements for modules and travel arrangements); to provide localised input into the gender sensitivity focus of the project; to support project communications with participants and stakeholders as required; and with the Bougainville Disabled Peoples Organisation.
Pacific Women Mediators Network
Launched in Suva, Fiji in June 2023, the Pacific Women Mediators Network (PWMN) aims to uplift and support Pacific Island women-led approaches, to drive a gender just and human rights-based humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus, so that the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda also informs and contributes to national implementations of regional frameworks and commitments to gender equality, peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action and climate change.
The implementation of the Pacific Women Mediators Network is supported by a Technical Working Group reflecting our commitment to uplifting the feminist expertise of a cadre of diverse Pacific Island Women Civil Society Leaders who bring experience, knowledge and networks that reflect the legacy of Pacific Island women-led peacebuilding and activism, have led peacebuilding and political mediations and multilateral advocacy that drives greater understanding of the Pacific Island context.
OUR PARTNERS.
