01 August 2014

Australia supporting Eastern Highlands women and children

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary, Mr Ewen McDonald, today saw first-hand two Australian-funded projects in Goroka that are improving the lives of women and children in the Eastern Highlands.

Mr McDonald visited the CARE – Women in Coffee project and the Buk bilong Pikinini library in Goroka after opening midwifery training facilities at the University of Goroka.

“One of the best ways to promote economic growth and to achieve stronger communities and societies is to empower women and girls. It is a privilege to see the difference these projects make for women working in agriculture and for literacy of girls,” Mr McDonald said.

Australia’s support for the CARE – Women in Coffee project is helping to improve the economic and social security of women working in coffee production.

“Coffee is the biggest income generating activity for communities in the Highlands, but to date, it has been a male dominated industry where women are rarely recognised and rewarded with equal benefits and opportunities for their role in farming and production,” Mr McDonald said.

“With a grant of PKG 1.5million from the Australian Government, the CARE – Women in Coffee project is working to change this trend so more women can be recognised and enjoy the opportunities and incentives the coffee industry has to offer.“

Under the project, CARE Australia works with the PNG Government through the Coffee Industries Corporation, the World Bank and local communities to encourage equal participation of women in the coffee industry, including empowering women through training. Almost 100 smallholder farming families have benefited since the project started in July 2013.

Mr McDonald visited the Buk bilong Pikinini library in Goroka, which is part of a network across PNG supported by Australia since 2012 with K2.2 million in funding and through the provision of Australian volunteers.

The network of 16 libraries has benefitted more than 100,000 Papua New Guineans since 2007, with 1,200 children currently enrolled in literacy and numeracy awareness programs across the nation.