For the first time in its 36-year history, the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) Global Women in Management (GWIM) program will be held in Papua New Guinea, bringing together 26 women from across the country.
The three-week workshop from 24 March to 11 April 2014, run by Plan International USA, aims to strengthen women’s management, leadership, and technical skills to advance economic opportunities and build the next generation of women working in civil society or for non-profits in Papua New Guinea.
The CEDPA GWIM program is supported by ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative, a global effort launched in 2005 to help women in more than 90 countries fulfil their economic potential and drive economic and social change in their communities. To date, ExxonMobil has invested more than $70 million around the world to help implement programs that have directly benefitted tens of thousands of women around the world.
Decie Autin, ExxonMobil PNG Limited Project Executive, welcomed the CEDPA GWIM participants to Port Moresby.
“We are proud to support this important program that helps equip women leaders with valuable skills,” Ms Autin said.
“I am thrilled that so many women – many of whom are already making a difference in their local communities – will come together to learn new skills and network.
“Over the past four years, we have provided support for local women to participate in this program in Indonesia and Washington, DC, and they have made huge contributions on their return to Papua New Guinea. I am excited to see what the women who attend this year’s conference will achieve.
“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 have far-reaching benefits.”
The GWIM program is designed for women working in local non-government organisations, cooperatives, and business women’s associations, as well as for emerging and existing female business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Since 2006, ExxonMobil has provided support for 23 Papua New Guinean women to complete the GWIM program.
One of those women, Cathy Alex, who works for CDI Foundation, said she is proud to have participated in the GWIM program.
“The three-week course gave me useful, practical skills that I was able to bring home with me and put into action. The skills gained enabled me to assist rural, marginalised women of the Gulf and Southern Highlands promote activities that improve the community’s livelihood despite the many challenges. Through my involvement and by working with development partners, I helped women in Samberigi open their first vegetable market, as well as women take over leadership positions traditionally occupied by males.
“I whole-heartedly believe in the skills gained through the GWIM training, because it enables participants to be more passionate and contribute meaningfully toward progressively making positive changes.
“I very much thank ExxonMobil for the opportunity,” Cathy said.
About ExxonMobil in Papua New Guinea
ExxonMobil has been in Papua New Guinea since the 1920s. It currently has interests in fuels marketing, and oil production, as well as is responsible for constructing the $19 billion PNG LNG Project. The PNG LNG Project is an integrated development that includes gas production and processing facilities, onshore and offshore pipelines and liquefaction facilities. Participating interests are affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corporation (including ExxonMobil PNG Limited as operator), Oil Search Limited, National Petroleum Company Papua New Guinea, Santos Limited, JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration, Mineral Resources Development Company and Petromin PNG Holdings Limited. Visit pnglng.com.
About the ExxonMobil Foundation
The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. Globally, ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation provide funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2012, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $256 million in contributions worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
About Plan International USA
The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) is now part of Plan International USA. Founded in 1937, Plan International USA is part of a global organisation that works side by side with communities around the world to end the cycle of poverty for children. We reach more than 83 million children in 50 developing countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, developing solutions community by community to ensure long-term sustainability. We promise a better future for children and their communities by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to create their own solutions, which range from clean water and healthcare programs to education projects and child protection initiatives.