International Women’s Day 2024 speech by Governor Ms Elizabeth Genia

Date: 8 March 2024

Daba namona, morning tru, welcome olgeta.

It is a pleasure to speak to you on this International Women’s Day as the Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea.

I am reminded today that as women, we are able to achieve at the highest level, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Bank of Papua New Guinea as your first female Governor.

I am also very aware of the many people who have supported and encouraged me as I have worked in my 35-plus years at the Bank.

All leadership is based on the trust and support of a team, and I am proud of the incredible contribution you all make as part of Team BPNG.

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the progress made by women and men in our society, and to renew our commitment to a more inclusive and just society.

This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” As I reflected on the theme, I was, reminded of our Vision 2050 and our shared focus to develop, maintain and promote a sound and efficient monetary and financial system that enables economic growth, employment and inclusion.

I know you all agree that inclusion is a key value for Bank of Papua New Guinea.

We are rightly proud of the fact that in 2019 we launched one of the nation’s first Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, or GESI, strategies.

GESI is now business as usual at the Bank. We expect GESI to be incorporated into all elements of our work and for the Bank to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all our staff.

In 2022, we drafted the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, which was approved and implemented in 2023.

This is a significant achievement for the Bank, in that it clearly defines the standard of professional conduct we expect from our staff.

Our workplace is safer and more inclusive when all staff, women and men, understand what is and is not acceptable in the workplace.

I commend the team who have spent the last year conducting awareness and training so that we all understand the expectations for Bank staff, and can live up to the high value we place on gender equality in the workplace.

I also commend the changes in the workplace that have substantially increased the number of female managers in our Bank.

And, I commend the work done to combat family and sexual violence.

We supported the play “Letters to Bradley” in 2023. I know those of you who saw it were moved by the performance, and the themes in the play.

Many of us recognized those themes in our families, and in ourselves.

There are times when the best understandings come through stories and drama.

This is part of our culture, and I take time to recognize the impact this performance had on many members of our team.

It was innovative and impactful.

I also note that inclusion extends beyond gender to those living with disability.

The Bank can be rightly proud of the work we have done to ensure a more inclusive financial sector.

In 2023 or maybe earlier, we introduced the first banknotes to have embossed surfaces that enable those with vision impairments to recognize our bank notes.

This seems like a small thing. But, people living with vision impairment have been victims of financial abuse for too long.

Now, they have better control over their finances and can better manage their financial interactions.

This has made a big difference to the lives of many, particularly in rural and remote areas.

We actively monitor our performance in this important area and encourage women and those living with disability to join and succeed in our organization.

In 2024, I challenge us all to do more to promote inclusion both within the Bank of Papua New Guinea and to the communities we support across the country.

More can be done to integrate women and those living with disability into our Bank and our financial sector.

We also need to consider more deeply the connection between access to finance and family and sexual violence.

On this International Women’s Day, I again thank you for the contribution you have made in taking this important agenda forward.

I’m proud that Bank of Papua New Guinea is leading this movement within the Government of Papua New Guinea, and of the work you have all done to make BPNG an employer of choice for women.

I challenge us all to lead by example and make inclusion a living and visible value modelled by all Bank staff for the benefit of our communities.

I am grateful for your presence here today, and your commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Tenikyu bada herea.

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