UN Women equips female market vendors in Papua New Guinea with financial literacy skills
Date:
Interviewed by Aidah Nanyonjo
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — Helen Henao, a vendor at Alotau market in south-eastern Papua New Guinea, attended a financial literacy training given by UN Women, and she sees good days ahead.
“The training opened our eyes to see opportunities for our businesses to grow,” she said. “With these skills, I see myself as a powerful businesswoman in the next five years.”
Under the second phase of its Markets Economic Recovery and Inclusion programme, during 26 June to 1 July UN Women trained a total of about 70 female vendors working at 13 markets in the country’s Highlands, Southern and Monase Regions. The training covered market opportunities, market audit, market plan, personal and business budgeting, bookkeeping, saving plan, calculating start-up costs, and roles and responsibilities in the family.
UN Women selected for the training women who could potentially go on to share what they learned with other women in the markets, said UN Women’s Business Development Specialist and trainer, Heather Vanua.
“With this training, they should be able to identify opportunities within and outside the markets, diversify, as well as access finance to grow their businesses,” she said.
Seri Anders, a vendor in Boroko market in Port Moresby, said: “I am happy with the new skills acquired, especially in budgeting. I used not to budget for my money, but now I know the benefits.”
Anders said she plans to open a bank savings account. She also plans to share her new skills with members of her family and with other female vendors in the market.
Tutai Kawa, the president of Daru market vendors association, said: “During COVID-19 lockdown, we were stuck with our produce. We had no markets for them. With this training, we know how to identify new markets where we can sell excess produce.”
While closing the financial training in Port Moresby on 30 June, UN Women Deputy Country Representative Caroline Nyamayemombe said: “Our desire is to ensure women in Papua New Guinea have income security. They can manage their livelihoods even in times of economic challenges like domestic violence, COVID-19, and all kinds of disasters.”
She said UN Women would later offer business development training to the female vendors.
The Markets Recovery and Inclusion programme is funded by the Government of Australia. The first phase of the programme was an emergency response focused on reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in 14 major markets across the country. The current second phase aims to improve the governance and operation of the markets with the participation and for the benefit of women, and to help women working in the informal economy in and around the markets to rebuild their businesses or expand into new ventures.