Pese Poge, Margret Pato and Pauline Akman are
empowering themselves through the people’s Micro-Bank and Women in Business.
In a joint effort by the two organisation’s
to empower woman in the informal sector, women from all works of life are
getting their small businesses registered and applying for start-up funds from
the Micro-Bank to finance their activities.
Pese, Margret and Pauline are among many
women who are stay-at-home mothers are making a living off their hand-craft’s
and selling food to support their families. They have been drawn to the
opportunities that are being provided through WiB and the people’s Micro-Bank.
Pese knits string bags and caps and sells them
on the street to earn a living which sometimes can be risky. She is in the
process of registering herself with WiB in order to access funding to expand
her business.
“I came to Women in Business to register
myself and apply for funding. Street sales are very challenging and you have to
have the confidence to sell your products, to approach your customers. I don’t
go to areas that I know are not safe. I also have customers that place orders
so this also brings in money. I am looking forward to better opportunities and
funding through the micro-bank and women in business,” Pese said.
“I used to sell my bilums (string bag) and
crafts at the end of every month on a Saturday. My earnings depend on the
number of tourists that come into the country. If there are more customers I
get more. My plans are to expand my business through women in business and the
people’s micro-bank,” Margret said.
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| The PNG Women in Business Expo is an annual event which attracts woman from all over country and neighboring countries such as Indonesia and the Solomon Islands to trade and do business. |
Meanwhile, Pauline is a former teacher and
since retiring from teaching has made a business out of selling her arts and
crafts in Port Moresby and the East Sepik. She also registered herself and her
women’s group in order to access funding and expand her opportunities.
“I started in 1991 and struggled along the
way selling my crafts while teaching and I have registered my business with WiB
to expand my opportunities.”
Janet Sape, President said the government
provided K10 million to fund the first people’s Micro-Bank in Port Moresby.
“Since 2006 with a group of women, I’ve
shared the idea and dream of having an institution for the women of PNG. I have
a team of women who are co-founders who have teamed up with me and we have
travelled the journey. The government approved K10-million and we have been
receiving this money in stages to assist, mobilize and establish. We have come
this far and now we have the bank.”
Ms Sape said the next step is to expand
these opportunities to the rest of the country and open up branches in 89
districts. This move falls in line with the governments 2050 Vision to empower
middle class Papua New Guineans by improving their wealth and the country’s
economy.
“We are looking at the government to
continue to fund the bank so that women can get loans. Our vision is to see
this bank rolled out to the 89 districts. We also want government to fund women
in business so that it can in turn assist the women.”
WiB recently show cased its strengths at
the Women in Business expo held recently in Port Moresby, which coincided with
the XV Pacific Games purposely to enable the women to sell their crafts to
visiting athletes.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, also
congratulated the WiB at the recent expo for taking the initiative to
strengthen business activities for the woman which supports government policy.
“I want the Micro-Bank to be established
throughout rest of the country for the women. I encourage the women to take
this challenge up and assist the government in making this dream a reality.”
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| Stall owners from the Eastern Highlands province displayed several hand made arts and crafts during the PNG Women in Business Expo held in July this year. |
