Region:Asia Pacific
Current UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PNG_D_1.1
Women fully and effectively participate in and have equal opportunity for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political and public life (Aligned to SP Output 4)
PNG women demonstrated courage, confidence and knowledge through increased participation in political leadership position. During the 2022 general elections a total of 64 women (an increase from 22.8% in 2017 to 40.3% in 2022), were endorsed by political parties with most parties endorsing between one and four women candidates. Two women were successfully elected to National Parliament in the 2022 national general elections, both were endorsed by political parties. UN Women further enhance women leadership and governance, inclusive decision-making, communication, community development and running for election, knowledge and skills. This was achieved through training, 93 subnational female politicians from the Autonomos Bougainville Government commnity department, and Government of PNG provincial and Local Level Government on the same. Participants shared numerous positive benefits from the trainings, including: (1) The training gave them more recognition and credibility as a leader in their community; and (2) The training increased their confidence in speech writing, public speaking, proposal writing and how government functions. During this period, the Political Leadership Academy for Women, established by UN Women in 2021 in partnership with the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Government (PILAG), saw two cohorts of subnational female politicians graduated. In addition, PILAG demonstrated their commitment to the Academy by dedicating an office on their campus and staff to support the programme, as well as taking increased ownership over the delivery of the curriculum. In 2022, recorded improvement in community perception on women leadership participation. UN Women piloted a new approach to raise awareness on women’s leadership by working closely with Queensland University of Technology to co-create 13 digital stories with male and female leaders from across PNG. These stories were aired at the national level via television and social media, and were used to support community dialogues across 9 provinces (Eastern Highlands Province, East New Britain, East Sepik Province, Jiwaka, National Capital District, Morobe, Milne Bay and Simbu) and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville reaching 1,631 people. All the data collected showed an overwhelming interest and appetite for the films with “ 91% [of viewers] saying that they learnt something new from the films ”. There was also an immediate shift reported in some audiences' perceptions after viewing the film, “I thought women are not good enough in leadership roles. But even a slight opportunity given for them can bring positive results because women are usually persistent in things they do”. (Male, 30, Simbu) UN Women worked closely with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to the review and creation of gender-responsive policies, including the ABG Gender Policy and the ABG Partnerships Policy. As a result of this work, the ABG’s discussions on the establishment of the Office for the Development of Women has been reinvigorated. The establishment of this office and the allocation of resources to support its functions is critical for advancing coordination and legislation on GEWE in the ABG.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-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.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PNG_D_2.2
Socio-economic security of urban and rural women improved
During the reporting period, UN Women improved women market vendors social and economic wellbeing through financial literacy training, and loans to start their businesses. Market vendors' voice was amplified by supporting the the full registration of 11 provincial markets vendors associations. UN Women in partnership with UNCDF provided loans to 160 women (40 Goroka, 40 Lae, 40 Vanimo, 40 Gordons) to start their businesses. The women further opened bank accounts with Women's Micro Bank Limited (WMBL), Mi Bank, Bank of South Pacific. UN Women designed a participatory curriculum for low literacy women and rolled this out in 7 locations.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PNG_D_2.3
Services are gender responsive and enhances women's economic opportunities and livelihoods
Gender-sensitive and inclusive market infrastructure were improved across 11 markets through refurbishment of market structures in Kimbe and Wabag, installation of of water taps in the market for people with disability. The establishment of Market Vendors Associations and their representation in the market authority increased the voice to promote ‘leave no one behind’ concept. The Associations promoted safety of women and creation of enabling environment to support business activities in the markets. Through the capacity bilding initiatives, market authorities developed gender sensitive Market Operations Plan, Risk Management Plan, and Conflict Resolution Plan that promoted good governance and management of markets by market authorities and created economic opportunities for women.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PNG_D_3.2
SN Outcome 2.2 Men and boys recognize women and girls' right to live lives free from violence (aligned to SP Output 12)
In 2022,PNG witnessed a growth of men and boys movement (including, politicians, church, youth and community leaders), standing up for women's rights . UN Women specially used the ‘SANAP Wantaim Campaign,' Community Action Groups (through the work of Eastern Highlands Family Voice) to engage young men on women and girls rights. These youth champions gained new knowlegde on positive masculinity and gender equality and have become change agents providing leadership in communities by raising awareness and mobilizing the community to utilize available services. For example the trained youths reached a total of 1541(903F/611M) people in 2022 through various intrventions which included outreach activities in six communities (5 in the National Capital District and 1 in Western Highlands Province, five schools (4 in Western and 1 in Eastern Highlands Province), two markets ( 1 in Morobe and 1 in East Sepik). The youth have also disseminated messages through radio and TV programmes broadcast by the National Broadcasting Corporation which has national coverage across all 22 provinces of the country. Under, the WPHF Programme, UN Women's partners such as Eastern Highlands Family Violence, Kafe Urban Settlers Women Association, Community Development Association and Kup Women for Peace included male engagement components in their programmes leading to changes in men's behaviour towards their wives. Mr. Bana Mick from Muglwaku Kar tribe in Simbu Province, is evidence of the impact of engaging men. Simbu province is associated with high rates of intimate partner violence where, 63% women aged 15 to 49 years old reported to have ever experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse from their partners (PNG DHS 2016). Mr. Mick beat his wife daily, exacerbated by his abuse of alcohol and drugs. In his own words, “I used to be a violent man, beat my wife and children daily”. One of the community leaders said that the wife feared reporting the abusive husband to the police because she feared losing him and retribution from the community. Through Kup Women for Peace's engagements in the area, Mick's sister in-law gathered the courage to report him to the police and he was arrested. After his release, he started taking part in all community initiatives to end violence against women and girls.Showing 1 - 5 of 13
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References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).