“UN Day for me is a time to reflect on the goals that the United Nations is committed to and also to really take a deeper look on the work that UN has done in my country of Papua New Guinea to enhance the lives everyone in this nation,” shared Ms. Leottina Markhill when asked what UN Day means to her. 

“For me, the UN's crucial role in enhancing the lives of, in particular, women and children has always been a driving factor for me to want to be part of the UN team. I witnessed first hand the support my mother received from the United Nations Development Fund as a survivor of domestic violence and from a young age, I knew I had to be part of the UN team in PNG.”

Ms. Markhill who hails from the rugged terrains of Chimbu Province, has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the Divine Word University was given the opportunity to become a member of the UN staff in 2016 when she was successful in her application to be a Finance Intern with UNDP.

“I had no experience, a fresh graduate who just wanted to provide for my daughter. I joined UNDP as an intern and worked my way up to be a finance assistant,” Leotina said.

“I am forever grateful for the immense experience I have gained through the UN, working in a global organization with colleagues from different ethnicities and experiences that have shaped my career and personal life and goals.”

Leottina then moved from UNDP to join the United Nations Population Fund at the beginning of 2023 as a Finance Associate and 10 months on, she continues to learn and grow in her journey as a Finance Professional.

“With UNFPA, I have had the opportunity to travel to the rural areas and visualize the support we (the Finance and Operations Team) give to our Programmes team, when they are in the field. It moved me to see first hand the work UNFPA does in its mandate of women's sexual and reproductive health, humanitarian support and ensuring access to reproductive health commodities . It gives me so much purpose knowing that the immediate financial support I provide really does go a long way in changing women’s lives for the better. ”

In celebrating UN Day, Ms. Leottina said that the UN has always been about humanity, putting people first and ensuring that no one is left behind.