Women in lg

Women in Asia-­‐Pacific: Be Proud of Yourselves!

CÉLESTINE Ketcha Courtès, Mayor of Bangangté, Cameroon, sharedherinspirations about women. Her experience in leading the Africa’s Network of Locally Elected Women (REFELA)had enlightened women in Asia-­‐ Pacific on how to face gender issues in the Women’s Mayor Forum session at PrepCom3 Habitat III event held in Surabaya in 2016. In this interview, she shares her views more generally, make it applicable to all women, and closed with a special message for women in Asia-­‐Pacific region.

Howdo you see the position of women in development?

I believe that woman should be part of SDGs implementation. Woman is the actor of development, because woman has the capacity of managing at home. It is woman who manages the family. Look at the day in the family, you will see that it is woman that starts the day (wake up earlier, make breakfast, look after children, prepare lunch, dinner and clothes, and the cleanliness of the house).

That is the natural aptitude. And for that, woman can bring development and peace. If there is development, there would be no migration and conflict. My organization set plan that includes city without children on the road, city without

violence against women, and autonomy of woman’s finance. Woman also need support to get involved in activities that can give them money to improve themselves and contribute to the society. We also have worked on project that involves energy. Without energy, there will be no activity. Education needs energy. So, women work for development. And in REFELA, we also have bank of projects and we are here to look for partners who can help us contribute to the development of women.

What do you think are challenges faced by women in local government?

The challenge is to be accepted. By our culture, it is not easy for women to achieve. So, the first challenge is to show that we can do what Mayor can do and show it in daily activities. Other challenge we face is finance, because women don’t have financial source channel as much as man.

To fill in the gap, what factors or capacities do you think woman should have?

Education. Women should be encouraged to gain education from the beginning, start from when they are young. It is important for central government to apply equality in filling the position in the society. Also, it is important for the legislation to consider women and their rights.

Message for women in Asia-­‐Pacific?

For women in Asia-­‐Pacific, I would tell you to be proud of being a woman. To be proud in the capacity of managing the family. Because it means that you can do every job that is given to you. So, woman should not be afraid of getting involved in politics. You have to know that you are equal to man.