ExxonMobil PNG is continuing to assist women fulfill their leadership potential with 145,000 Kina in support of the Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network (APNGWLN).
The APNGWLN is made up of alumni from the ExxonMobil-supported Global Women in Management (GWIM) program. Since 2006, 49 women have attended the program in Indonesia, Washington D.C., and the first ever GWIM conference held in PNG in 2014.
Following the 2014 Port Moresby conference, the GWIM alumni decided to set up a secretariat, the APNG: Women Leaders Network, to ensure that they continued to support each other and share ideas, to progressively influence positive change in Papua New Guinea.
The First Lady of PNG, Lynda Babao O’Neill is the patron of the secretariat.
Funding from EMPNG will help APNG: Women Leaders Network to develop their organisational capacity in these formative years, including staffing of the secretariat, finalising of their strategic plan, and development and implementation of programs to support their members.
Andrew Barry, ExxonMobil PNG’s Managing Director said EMPNG was very proud to support a program that helps equip women leaders with valuable skills.
“This is a partnership between EMPNG and the women of this country, especially those who have benefitted from the GWIM program, many of whom are already making a difference in their local communities.”
“It’s no secret that when you invest in a woman, you are also investing in her family and her community, so programs like GWIM and the local alumni – APNG:WLN – have far-reaching benefits, “ Mr Barry said.
Cathy Alex, the Interim President of the APNG: WLN expressed her appreciation to ExxonMobil for continuing to enable women in PNG to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
“Many of us who gained skills through GWIM program continue to assist rural, marginalised women and promote activities that improve their community’s livelihood despite the many challenges we face,” she said.
“From the 49 graduates, I would say there are about 20,000 people in communities who are benefitting from our work; that’s why I truly believe the formation of the alumni and the skills gained through the GWIM training are vital to making positive changes”.
Plan International USA, who created and implement the GWIM program, are conducting a four-day workshop with the registered members of the Alumni network, from March 23-26, in Port Moresby to assist the women leaders to strengthen their skills to run their community based organisations more effectively.