GENDER EQUALITY and GENDER EQUITY
To truly ensure equal opportunity for all, it is important that we acknowledge and understand the differences between men and women and how these differences impact our daily lives.
Gender Equality means that men and women have equal values, rights, and opportunities to participate in all aspects of employment and life. It means equally valuing both the differences and the similarities between men and women and the varying roles they play. It does not mean that women become the same as men or vice versa. Rather, it means that having the ability to access rights or opportunities does not depend on one’s gender.
Equality only works if men and women start from the same place. Before we can enjoy equality, we must first ensure Equity.
Gender Equity is the process of being fair to disadvantaged men or women through specific interventions and actions, such as balancing past or current differences that have had a negative impact on a woman or man’s ability to participate fully and equally in employment and other opportunities.
We acknowledge that women and men have different perspectives, needs, interests, roles, and resources. These differences may be reinforced by culture, ethnicity, or age and can create barriers to participation and, therefore, access to opportunities and benefits.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) is proud to present its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, rooted in the principles outlined in Section 55 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. This policy affirms our commitment to ensuring equality of rights for all citizens in social, economic, and political development.
We acknowledge the valuable contributions of the Department of Personnel Management in developing the Government of Papua New Guinea’s National Public Service GESI Policy and supporting materials. Our GESI Policy is aligned with their guidance, reinforcing our shared commitment to fostering a fair and equitable society free from discrimination.
As a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), BPNG is dedicated to promoting gender and women’s financial inclusion in line with the Denarau Action Plan. Our GESI Policy serves as a framework for integrating these principles within our operations, recognizing our vital role as the central bank in the nation’s economic and social development.
Through this policy, we aim to provide equal opportunities for employment and training, driving economic empowerment and independence. We are also committed to ensuring equitable access to financial products and services, addressing key issues such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.
By adopting and implementing our GESI Policy, we strive to model fair and inclusive practices that inspire positive change within the wider community. We invite all stakeholders to support and engage with us in this essential endeavour.
IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR GESI POLICY
To achieve our Vision and Mission and realise the intended benefits, we must establish committed leadership, clearly define responsibilities, and implement effective accountability measures. The definitions, guidelines, and information in our GESI Policy will support the necessary changes in leadership, attitudes, and behaviours within our workplace. However, for these changes to be sustainable, we must take proactive steps to ensure the complete adoption and practical application of GESI principles.
To effectively implement our GESI Policy, we will:
- Ensure strong leadership and oversight.
- Assign key roles and responsibilities across the organisation.
- Integrate Gender Equity and Social Inclusion values and principles into our core practices.
- Develop an Action Plan for the implementation of the GESI Policy, incorporating metrics, regular reporting, and continuous monitoring and evaluation processes.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea has already made significant progress in implementing the GESI policies.
Our GESI Policies are;
- Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy
- BPNG Anti-Harassment Policy
- Family Sexual Violence Policy
Certification of 10 GESI Male Advocates
Champions for Bank of PNG in 2024