Dispense with gender double standard, says PNG candidate

A Papua New Guinea election candidate says it's time to dispense with the double standard over gender in leadership.

Gima Kepi is contesting in the Rigo Open district where she says women like her are acknowledged as leaders in their local communities.

This year there are a record 167 women among the total number of 3340 candidates.

But Ms Kepi said, in general in PNG, women candidates are often challenged in a way that male candidates aren't.

"There is a general perception that there is a double standard there. But I believe if we are given opportunities to get in there, then we prove ourselves... I mean how long do we have to prove ourselves? What more do we need to prove ourselves that we are capable of running our districts and this nation."