Helen Samu Hakena (née Gogohe, born 13 September 1955) is an organiser and campaigner for peace and women's rights from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.[1] In 1992 she co-founded the Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency to help restore peace to the island.[2] The organisation contributes humanitarian assistance, provides education programs on peace, gender issues and community development, and advocates for women's and children's rights. In 2000 the agency's work was recognised with a United Nations’ Millennium Peace Prize, and a Pacific Peace Prize in 2004.
After peace was declared, Hakena lobbied to have women involved in the constitutional development and disarmament processes with little success; only three women were included in the Bougainville Constitutional Commission and no women were involved in the weapons disposal programme.[3]
Hakena is also a member of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development.[4]