Boost for women’s markets

JAPAN has donated K6.7 million for the construction of markets for women in Tari, Wewak and Alotau.
The grant was given to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equity and the Empowerment of Women (EU-Women) in Papua New Guinea under the UN Women’s safe and prosperous district programme.
According to a joint statement by the Japanese Embassy in PNG and EU-Women, the funding would improve and upgrade the existing infrastructure in Tari, Wewak and Alotau markets.
“About 70 per cent of this grant is earmarked for infrastructure improvements in Tari and Wewak,” the statement read.
The Wewak market was constructed through the support of the Japanese government and was in need of upgrades while the UN Women was partnering with the provincial government to build a new market in Tari.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu contributed US$583,000 (K2,058,4920) with Japan pitching in US$670,000 (K2,365,677).
These markets need improvements with its sanitary facilities, access to clean water and security in light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) threat.
“UN Women will mobilise women users to influence the market design and provide technical input to ensure the market infrastructure met the specific needs of women vendors and complied with the Covid-19 protocols,” the statement read.
Japan completed the construction of a new market in Alotau recently.
“Women will receive training in various trades to enable them to engage in new economic activities, thereby improving their recovery and resilience through Japanese support,” the statement read.
“A revolving fund will be provided in all three sites (Alotau, Wewak and Tari), enabling women and men to access finance to catalyse recovery from the impact of Covid-19.”
Acting head of UN Women in PNG Caroline Nyamayemombe said a UN Women rapid assessment revealed that more than 82 per cent of reduction in household income levels were from informal economy workers.
Nyamayemombe said most women were economically active in the production of food or the trading of goods in markets.
She said vendors reported more than 51 per cent drop in daily earnings following the Covid-19 state of emergency measures in 2020.
Women constitute more than 60 per cent of market vendors thereby making them the main beneficiary of the upgrade in market facilities.
“This generous support from Japan is very timely as PNG is experiencing a second wave of the Covid-19 infections,” she said.
“This funding complements the existing support from the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the European Union to support PNG.”