Strengthening gender equality in Papua New Guinea

The Australian Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea today formally agreed the second country plan under the Pacific Women’s development initiative. Pacific Women (Phase Two) is valued at Aud$55 million over the next five years to support gender equality in PNG.

Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, HE Deborah Stokes, and PNG’s Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development, Hon Delilah Gore, marked the occasion through a signing ceremony at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.

Ms Stokes said this next phase of Pacific Women underpins our commitment to gender equality in PNG and continues the work already undertaken from the first Plan in 2012. “By increasing economic and leadership opportunities, and reducing violence against women and girls, we can help to reduce poverty and build a safer and prosperous PNG,” she said.

Minister Gore said: “This plan will help us further implement the Government’s National Policy for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality which was launched in 2011. We know that women are primary caretakers of the family and have a key role in improving our country’s economic development”.

Australia and PNG will support a coordinated response between government, non-government, the private sector and community organisations and to improve women and girls’ lives.

The first Pacific Women Papua New Guinea Country Plan (2012-2014) invested Aud$7.8 million. Several of these activities are ongoing and will continue under the second plan. Geographical areas targeted under the second country plan include: Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Western Province, Central and NCDC, Morobe and Sepik.