Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo says investing in women and girls is not just good social policy, it is good economic policy.
It has a powerful effect on productivity, efficiency and growth.
He says Australia wants to do more to help support business confidence in PNG and help it attract further investment.
“We see women’s empowerment and leadership as key to achieving these goals, that’s why our aid program has a big focus on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment,” he added.
Australia is promoting women’s economic empowerment through investments in the private sector and rural development.
Australia invests in the university education of PNG’s best and brightest women and men through the Australia Awards scholarships program.
"More than half the scholarships we offer in PNG go to women," he said..
Ciobo says Australia has also designed a variety of initiatives to mentor female business leaders, improve women’s financial literacy and increase access to finance and banking services.
“I believe the public sector should lead by example when it comes to women in leadership,” he says.
Over the past year, Australia and PNG have worked together to put a renewed focus on gender equity within Government.
Ciobo believe it is important Australia and PNG share experiences and solutions to end violence against women.