The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre congratulates Papua New Guinea’s Dame Meg Taylor (PICTURED) on her new appointment as the next Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat [PIFS].
Dame Meg is the first woman to be chosen for the post of Secretary-General for the PIFS.
She was PNG’s ambassador to the United States, Mexico and Canada from 1989 to 1994 and has been in active service for the government of PNG for 20 years.
“This is an exemplary achievement that will inspire women and girls in the Pacific and I commend the PNG Government for nominating Dame Meg Taylor, and also Forum leaders for taking the lead role in ensuring there is equal opportunities for everyone. This is a historic move and one all women in the Pacific will celebrate”, added Ms. Ali.
PIFS has been leading the region in recognizing women’s leadership and this is evident not only in Dame Meg Taylor’s appointment at the helm but also the appointments of Andie Fong Toy as Deputy Secretary General (Economic Governance and Political & Security Programmes), a postion she has held for four years, and more recently Cristelle Pratt as Deputy Secretary General (Strategic Partnerships & Coordination, Corporate Services Programmes).
“This is a great recognition of Pacific women’s leadership and participation throughout society, including at the higher echelons of power. Sadly very capable and deserving women are often overlooked in favour of men but PIFS is leading the way forward and setting a great example for other institutions to follow,” added Ms Ali.
Dame Meg Taylor takes over the reins from outgoing Secretary-General Tuiloma Neroni Slade who held the post for the last six years.
PRESS RELEASE