UN Women-DCDR conclude Consultation for the Informal Policy Review

UN Women in partnership with the Department of Community Department and Religion has concluded consultations with stakeholders on the review of the informal economy in the four regions of Papua New Guinea. The review of the Informal Economy Policy is implemented under the Markets Economic Recovery and Inclusion (MERI) program with funding from the Government of Australia, and European Union.

Speaking at the consultation meeting organized for stakeholders from the Niugini Islands in Kokopo, UN Women Deputy Country Representative Caroline Nyamayemombe, noted that the common issue raised in all regional consultations, was the lack of implementation of the former informal economy policy, which is undergoing review.

“Issues of implementation must be addressed strongly in the revision of this policy. The implementation part was not addressed in the first policy and that is why we have not seen any progress in the lives of women in PNG,”

Nyamayemombe noted that collaborative effort is needed among stakeholders in the implementation of the policy for the country to achieve sustainable development goals.

“We believe that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will not be possible, unless we are able to tap into the potential of the informal economy,” she said.

The European Union’s Policy Coordinator- Economy, Public finance management and Trade, Carlos Padilla noted that for the policy to have an impact on the livelihoods of the people of Papua New Guinea, stakeholder involvement was key including at the time of implementation. 

In a speech read for him by his first secretary Mark Manenga, the Minister for Community Development, Honourable Wako Goi said the current policy was outdated and required a review to match the current economic situations in the Country. The informal Economy policy is being reviewed concurrently with the validation of the Voice strategy and Community Development Bill.