On this International Day of Rural Women, the Australian Government recognises and celebrates the important contribution rural women make across Papua New Guinea.
The Australian Government is proud to support Papua New Guinean women through the Lily Magazine Homemade Competition. The Competition has proven to be a platform for ingenuity, empowering rural women to build sustainable businesses using local resources. Competition finalists receive business development training and an eight-week tailored mentoring program, equipping them with practical knowledge to transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises.
Competition finalists Denise Aitoba and Nicola Boas have expanded their skills and confidence through the program.
Denise Aitoba, a pineapple farmer from Butibam, Morobe Province, is turning thorny pineapple leaves into intricate fibre jewellery. For Denise, who had postponed her business studies to raise a family, the training was a ‘second chance’ to develop her knowledge and skills.
“I didn't know just how much this competition would change my life, especially to go on and attend the business training. It built my confidence,” Denise said.
Her business is now a family affair, engaging her sisters and creating local employment. She has connected with other finalists, including as Nicola Boas, the category winner for the competition's edible category.
Nicola, a forester by profession, is tapping into Papua New Guinea’s rich biodiversity by transforming the vibrant Butterfly Pea flower - lauded for its health benefits - into herbal salts, tea and juice. Nicola shared her inspiration, when she discovered the plant while working in the Markham Valley.
“I was amazed by the blue colour,” Nicola shared. “I believe in the power of integrating these natural 'superfoods' into daily diets.”
Nicola and Denise have now teamed up, joining and inspiring other women in local villages and communities in Morobe to promote their products and offer support to women who want to start small, informal businesses. The competition has fostered a crucial support network, with Denise and Nicola mentoring, celebrating, and supporting each other to expand their customer reach.
Over the past five years, the Australian Government’s investment in the Lily Magazine Homemade Competition has supported women like Denise, Nicola, and many others to launch and grow businesses that harness eco-friendly local resources. These efforts are contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable future—one powered by the innovation, resilience, and leadership of Papua New Guinea’s rural women.
Ends.
Nicola Boas with Butterfly Pea flowers, harvested in her backyard at Nadzab, outside Lae.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100