A political communicator from Washington DC is empowering Melanesian women to run for office.
Kate Hansen's tour is part of the Women's Empowerment Programme run by the US Embassy in Papua New Guinea.
Photo: RNZI Courtesy of SPC
Ms Hansen is running workshops in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and says women who overcome barriers to political participation inspire the next generation.
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"Any women who is looking to run and represent her community, I would really encourage her to do so. You never know which younger women and girls are watching you and who you might accidentally end up a role model for."
She said she hoped her workshops would also empower women to overcome gender based violence.