New initiative to promote gender equality, inclusion

SAPOTIM Lida is a new Australian-funded initiative that will contribute to gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) besides promoting women’s leadership in the health system at national and provincial levels.
According to a statement from the Australian High Commission, the programme was launched at the National Health Plan 2021-2023 regional consultation workshop in Port Moresby last Thursday.
It said Sapotim Lida aimed to strengthen women’s leadership in PNG’s health sector and would empower provincial health authorities (PHAs) and the Health Department to select and implement important GEDSI initiatives.
High commission representative Dr Lara Andrews said: “By committing to support women, people with disabilities and others from socially marginalised groups in leadership positions, we ensure diversity of voices in decision making and this creates a stronger health sector, and this helps us all to deliver a better and more equitable service for the people of PNG.”
The programme is supported by the PNG–Australia Partnership and will be delivered under the PNG-Australia Transition to Health (Path) programme through a three-year investment of AU$6.3 million (about K10 million) and implemented by Care International PNG from 2022 to 2025.
Path works in six provinces – West Sepik, East New Britain, Morobe, Western, Western Highlands and Bougainville – through the Department of Health to lead reform efforts and manage the delivery of quality essential services.