2020
Jeanette (Jeanthy) Ila
- Age: 32
- | She/her/hers
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Young people are not leaders of tomorrow, young people are the leaders of today. Include young people in policymaking to solve their challenges together. This is our world too. Let's build it together.
- Jeanette (Jeanthy) Ila
Bio
Jeanette (Jeanthy) Ila was born and raised in Papua New Guinea. She received a Merit Certificate on Youth and Community Development from Ola Fou Youth and Community Development, Praxis NZ in 2015. As an Advocacy Assistant, Behavior Change Campaign, Safe City Programme at UN Women Papua New Guinea Country Office, Jeanthy coordinates advocacy activities for young people that are implemented in schools, communities, markets, on women-only buses, and through public outreach. As a volunteer at Equal Playing Field and The Voice Inc Limited, she facilitates information session on promoting gender equality for a safe and healthy community, using sports as a tool to influence positive behavior in primary schools, while also assisting to coordinate calendar events, leadership conferences, and mobilizing youths to participate in their upcoming programming. Additionally, Jeanthy is a YWCA volunteer, Ola Fou PNG, representing Youth on the Board, and Port Moresby National Capital District Youth Advisory Committee member.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
It started in my community. I witnessed women, my mother, and my sister not given equal household responsibilities. Women did more work than men. Women lacked access to basic services like health clinics to get contraceptives, and, due to language barriers, were unaware of ideal information. Making decisions as women weren't encouraged.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
I led awareness on two women-only buses operated by Ginigoada Foundation, in partnership with UN Women through the "Sanap Wantaim Campaign" initiative. Awareness reinforced messages of equality, consent, and ending violence in public space. After awareness, 60 percent of women commuters sought support services and built confidence. Now, there are six women-only buses and awareness continues.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Apart from work, I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, dancing, and checking on youth volunteers and families.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- young women's leadership
- male engagement
- promoting women's safety in urban and rural areas
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Youth and Community Development Certificate from Ola Fou, Praxis, New Zealand
- SRHR Certificate of Participation by PNG National YWCA
- Rise Up Young Women's Leadership Program Certificate by PNG National YWCA
- Year 12 Certificate from Badihagwa Secondary School
- Tourism and Hospitality Certificate from Limana Technical and Vocational School
- Yvonne M.T. Heburt Scholarship to attend 60th Commission on the Status of Women
- World YWCA Scholarship to attend Second Global Youth Forum and Human Rights Council in Geneva
- Chosen by UN Women PNG Country Office to attend the Safe Cities Global Flagship Conference in Mexico
- Scholarship assistance from Professional Women in Business to study Tourism and Hospitality
