Kurie Endopio crowned first Miss Enga Province

Enga Province has crowned its first-ever Miss Enga, marking a new chapter in promoting women’s empowerment and cultural pride in the Highlands province.

Newly crowned Miss Kurie Endopio called on the people of Enga to uphold the good reputation of the province during her reign, saying she hopes to be a voice for women and a positive representative of her people.

“I ask that we all maintain the good reputation of our province as I lead in my reign,” Endopio said during the crowning ceremony.

In her first official address, the 24-year-old urged young women from Enga to speak up and be confident, saying that their voices matter.

“Enga is a patrilineal culture where women have no voice, and I want to make sure that men understand that we women also control the culture and future of our generation,” she said.

Of mixed Enga and Milne Bay parentage, Endopio recently graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a degree in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.

She said she aims to show the real Enga culture to Papua New Guinea and the world when she represents her province at the upcoming Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant.

“We are not what you see in the news. We are not fighters or war people,” she said, adding that she wants to show Enga as a peaceful and loving province.

Endopio also said she hopes to help preserve Enga’s culture for future generations.

“Engan culture is dying, and I want to make sure it is preserved so that our young generation has a foundation to stand on,” she said.

Miss Enga ended her remarks by calling on educated Engans around the country and abroad to give back to their province as it continues to grow and develop.