26/03/2011

Divine Word University (DWU) continues to set benchmark every year in its role in promoting gender equality.
Saturday evening, March 19th, the International Women’s Day was one of those times that DWU’s role in fostering greater gender harmony came to the fore.  It saw the student body putting up a concert and hosting various speeches to honor international day.  The celebration at DWU was also sponsored by Digicel PNG, Diwai Mart and other individuals on campus.
Although the day falls on March 8th, the organizing committee moved the event back to give them time for planning and preparations.
This year’s theme was ‘Matching skills of Higher Education to successful career paths for women.’
Female students on the occasion encouraged one another to utilize the learning resources available in order to close the disparity in the number of women in workforce as opposed to men.
Mrs. Lillian Matbob, a DWU Alumni member who is also the second secretary to the Minister for Justice and attorney general, Sir Arnold Amet, gave an empowering talk on how women can overcome challenges and stand up to realize their own dreams.
 “There is a vast difference between men and women in terms of opportunities. But nothing is impossible. If a man can do it, so are you. You are just as capable.”
Lillian also reminded the womenfolk that in order to be successful and become agents of change, the process has to start from within.
“The only weakness that women have is the lack of belief in themselves that they can do it. And the success to achieve all this is through education,” she said.
The evening was marked with spectacular performances by female students representing various groups and academic departments at the University. The highlight was the contest for Miss Divine Word University which was won by Wendy Marita, a final year student in the bachelor of Environment Health Program.
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