Training programs provided by Frieda River Limited (FRL) are seeing women in remote Sepik take up more leadership roles.
Among the trailblazers are Cathy John from Paupe village in Ambunti district and Martina Aki from Wabia in Telefomin.
These communities are two of the seven key villages designated for the transformative Sepik Development Project, which includes the Frieda River copper-gold project, the hydroelectric dam, the Sepik power grid and other extensive infrastructure improvements.
Through FRL’s training programs, the two women have gained crucial leadership skills, financial literacy, adult education expertise and knowledge of women’s community healthcare, which are empowering them to serve their people holistically.
FRL programs specific to village births and menstrual health have equipped the women with vital obstetric skills, family planning knowledge, personal hygiene routines and other critical safety practices.
John emphasised that empowering women to make decisions about family planning is essential to addressing life-threatening issues during childbirth in remote parts of PNG.
“Today, men respect us,” John said. “They listen to us. We are recognised as leaders and we are given the time and space to speak for our community.”
Empowered by the diverse training they have received, FRL is confident the women of rural Sepik are ready to capitalise on the opportunities the Sepik development project will bring.
The project aims to help build stronger and more viable communities by establishing necessary public infrastructure, generating skilled employment, and creating business opportunities for local people.
“We understand that Frieda River is remote and requires critical infrastructure,” Aki said.
“It needs a well-developed road network and a dam before mining can start. We are supportive of this major development.”
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