MiBank board endorses gender equity policy

The board of MiBank has endorsed a gender equity and social inclusion policy, known as Gesi.
MiBank directors Dame Carol Kidu and Lesieli Taviri joined with MiBank staff at a recent awareness workshop in Port Moresby for National Capital District staff.
The workshop was attended by 62 women and men from MiBank, who discussed awareness of gender-sensitising and the need to develop gender-responsive products and services.
Also attending was Mary Albaniel, acting manager Gesi branch of the Department of Personnel Management. Albaniel was able to inform participants of Gesi’s progress within the government.
Dame Carol urged staff to think about gender and social inclusion in the context of the freedom provided under the PNG Constitution.
Chief executive of MiBank Tony Westaway said: “We at MiBank already know that lack of access to financial services for women compared with men is particularly acute.
“We also know that discrimination based on sex, age, disability, health status, religion, sexual orientation or social status is a significant contributor to exclusion. “We believe that gender equity and social inclusion values and principles need to be pursued in their own right, but also believe they are critical to sustained economic growth and faster poverty reduction.”
MiBank also conducted workshops in Kokopo and Lae. One of the proposed initiatives is to establish a male advocacy network (MAN) within the bank.
The role of MAN will be to focus on addressing gender issues and ensuring a safe and secure workplace for women and their communities.