Westpac hails Sape’s contribution to business

WESTPAC PNG has offered its condolences to the family and friends of late Janet Sape.
The bank’s regional head for South Asia and Pacific Greg Pawson said Sape was one of the best known advocates on women’s issues, particularly on the need for economic empowerment and financial freedom.
“When I met Janet in 2015 at the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards, I was inspired by her passion for supporting women in PNG,” Pawson said.
Sape was the founder and executive director of the PNG Women in Business.  She won the Westpac Outstanding Woman of the Year award in 2015.
“Janet was instrumental in setting up the Women’s Microbank, the first microfinance institution in the Pacific devoted to women, and only the fourth in the world,” he said.
Pawson said her energy and charisma, and her desire to help all Papua New Guineans whoever and wherever they were made her an exceptional ambassador for Papua New Guinea” who believed in honesty and fairness.
Sape began her career as a teacher before realising she had a talent for business.
She mentored and coached women, helping them start and manage their own businesses.
She established the Women in Business to ensure women had the tools and advice needed to be successful.
She linked them to other businesswomen, and to markets here and abroad where they could sell their products.
Sape was among those contesting the North-West seat during the recent general election in Port Moresby.
She represented women and girls on the National Capital District Commission Board.
She was a netball player representing the country in world championships before coaching the national team. She later became the president of the PNG Netball Federation.
Pawson said Westpac was honoured when Sape joined as a Westpac Outstanding Woman.
“Her work spanned so many different areas and to recognise her many successes in this way was a privilege for us. She was one of PNG’s great women,” Pawson said.