Outcome PNG_D_2.1

National, provincial and district plans, legislations, policies, strategies, budgets and justice mechanisms adopted and implemented to strengthen women’s economic empowerment

UN Women created enabling environment to promote women market vendors’ participation in the economic and livelihood development by supporting PNG Government’s review of its Informal Economy Sector Policy, PNG Governments’ New Normal COVID-19 Policy, training and establishment of Women Markets Vendors Associations, capacity development for market management team, provide life-skills and business management skills training to market vendors, and market infrastructure development. Furthermore, UN Women enhanced duty bearers' knowledge and skills on cross-cutting themes such as violence against women, human rights, women's right to income and access to public spaces. The market managers and provincial government officials were trained on hygiene, sanitation, public leadership and exchange programmes were organised for the leaders. UN Women supported market managers to develop gender sensitive market operational plans and budgets.

National, provincial and district plans, legislations, policies, strategies, budgets and justice mechanisms adopted and implemented to strengthen women’s economic empowerment

There is steady progress on this outcome. In 2021, the Bank South Pacific reported that 548 SME loans with a total value of K69 million had been issued under the credit facility created by government in 2020. While no data is available on the reach, in 2021 several provincial governors including the Governor of the National Capital District rolled out financial literacy training and micro loans to women entrepreneurs. At a government policy level, the Department for Community Development and Religion consulted on the Informal Economy policy. The policy advocates for informal economy workers rights and promotes the notion of creating a pathway for those looking at expanding their business. UN Women’s contribution through the Markets Economic Recovery and Inclusion (MERI) Program, has led to more transparent governance of markets which is inclusive of women with 44% representation of women in the Market local implementation committees. In Wabag, the provincial authority has assigned the women’s association to manage the market hence creating an opportunity for the hundred of women who are members of the Association to be business share holders. Women’s participation in the PNG economy continues to be confined in the informal and UN Women’s influence has predominantly been within the rural market space with opportunities for economic empowerment in other sectors such as mining and fisheries still largely unrealised.