“What an achievement for the women Bougainville and of women in Papua New Guinea!” The words of a jubilant Francesca Semoso, who is now just, three weeks into her tenure as the North-Bougainville MP and the first woman out of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) to be elected to the National Parliament. She was speaking at the recently held ‘Leading with Impact; Women in Leadership Retreat PNG’ that was co-hosted by the National Parliament & the Bougainville House of Representatives (BHoR), in Port Moresby. In one of her first few official engagements as an MP, Semoso’s speech was one of motivation, as she recounted her experience thus far, to a captivated audience, of her journey through the political landscape of Papua New Guinea. In her remarks, Semoso acknowledged and thanked former MPs, Dame Carol Kidu, as well as the late Sir Peter Barter, for believing in her and giving her the confidence, she needed, to start out on this journey. Semoso said she was proud to see Bougainville leading the way, in getting more women into Parliament. “I am honoured to have made it onto the floor of Parliament.” “And I am a firm believer in getting women into positions where they can be part and partial of decision making that benefit Papua New Guinea, specifically for our women, our youth and for our Persons with Disabilities.” The MP said she is looking forward to her first parliament sitting, where she is expected to deliver her maiden speech. “When you are a person that is... willing to walk the talk… don’t be afraid to say things, how things are supposed to be said!” She told those in attendance at the retreat, of how, as she journeyed from her home Province AROB to the big city of Port Moresby, to be sworn into the ‘Haus Tambaran’ and was pleasantly surprised to be met at the Jacksons Airport, not just by women from Bougainville, but also by women from all other parts of the PNG. “To see that was good for the heart. It showed we can work together.” Continuing her speech, Semoso revealed something that was both interesting and encouraging for herself and for other women who may be considering a career in politics, saying her most notable support, came from men. “My greatest supporter was my father.” “And in this last election, my greatest supporter was my brother.” She encouraged her fellow female leaders that were present in the room, who were considering putting their hands up to run in the next elections, to garner the support of their male family members and friends. Although jubilant, Semoso was honest in saying that it is and has never been an easy road for any women in politics in PNG. “When you have people throw stones at you, it just gives you that extra strength to win, not just for myself but for (all) women.” Semoso further stated, even though it was tough road to thread upon, it was heartening to receive the support of PNG womenfolk and from women and men across the Pacific Region and from various pockets of the world, who continue to support women in politics in PNG. Nearing the end of her speech, Semoso said there remains much work to be done, to advance the cause of getting more women into parliament and this work can begin by desensitizing men parliament, to the idea. “Let’s talk to them, over dinner and over a cup of tea… Only then will they understand what we are about, as mothers of this nation.” She ended with a call to action, urging Papua New Guinean women and men to keep pressing on, in getting more women onto the floor of parliament.