Rural women get financial training

 MORE than 600 women in Markham Valley, Morobe, have received financial literacy training from the Nationwide Microbank.

The women came from the Markham Headwaters, Wasembo, Amari, Lower and Upper Yaros, Gama, Gugurup, Sangan, Leron, Awara and Onga.

They also came from Madang’s Saidor, Karkar, Siar, North Coast and Bogia.

Nationwide Microbank’s Gima Kepi said the financial literacy training taught women how to use credit responsibly, manage their money and financial risks.

“The women will also have the understanding of the long term benefits of savings and develop a positive attitude towards financial planning,” she said.

Kepi said women who attended the literacy training had the opportunity to open a MiCash Mobile Bank account.

“This is a woman’s first step to becoming financially independent and empowered to confidently manage her family and business finances.”

Kepi added financial education was important for people not only in businesses but also in rural communities. 

She said the understanding of formal financial services was generally limited for rural people so the need for financial literacy education was important.

“In rural households, it is often the women who take care of the welfare of the family group. 

“That is why Nationwide Microbank focuses its financial literacy training particularly on rural women,” Kepi said.