A participant in Papua New Guinea's Practice Parliament for Women says hiking the MP nomination fee will prevent many women from running in this year's general election.
The week long training programme concludes on Monday as Parliament prepares to debate the government's plan to raise the fee from US$300 to US$3,000.
With only three women currently in Parliament out of 111 MPs, the intending candidate for the Gumine Open electorate, Dr Susan Apa, said the government's plan targets women.
"I think that will hinder women mainly, but I think a lot of men will also be hindered. With a PNGK$10,000 nomination fee that reduces numbers of intending candidates," she said.
"But for me personally, if I have to pay that to contest then I am prepared to do that."
Dr Apa said years of service on a hospital board convinced her she can do more for her community in Parliament.
