GOVERNOR PARKOP ATTENDS THE NATIONAL MARKETS CONVENTION
The National Markets Convention, being held from 19 - 21 April 2023, hosted by UN Women at the APEC Haus with the theme: “Building back better markets; the frontier of PNG’s economy”, invited Governor Parkop as a guest speaker to the convention for being a champion for gender equality and women’s empowerment for many years.
The UN Country Rep. Themba Kalua said the women of PNG are counting on Governor Parkop to continue to push the boundaries for gender equality in PNG. He said the informal economy is a giant in the PNG economy, where 70% of vendors are women.
The partnership of UN Women and NCDC in this space through the “Safe City, Safe Markets” program has been active for 8 years. The state-of-the-art Gordons market is a fruit of this partnership involving also the New Zealand Government.
Governor Parkop, in his address, said, “Women's empowerment and markets go hand in hand. We have put a lot of effort and significant resources into markets in the city because this is one area where women dominate.”
“NCDC manages 14 vegetable markets and a thriving specialized fish market at Koki. With upwards of 20 markets in the city and street vendors, we are stressed and challenged to provide more markets.”
In terms of income and business, markets sustain a lot of people, and the Governor pledged to continue to invest in markets.”
“Historically and socially, trade is our way of life and culture. It is both a commercial and social platform, and we must harness it well to move those in the informal sector into the formal economy.”
Governor Parkop revealed plans by NCDC to build more new markets and upgrade existing ones.
“Markets are a limited space where women have dominance, and so we will expend much effort to help families and empower women.”
“Traditionally, women are the wealth creators of the family unit. Today we want women to have the opportunity to rise up and be part of the economic equation. Markets are an important strategy for us to achieve gender equality.”
“We are right at the bottom in terms of the gender equality index by global standards, and we must do everything to change that equation. Markets are one strategy.”
“When we financially empower our women, they can have more voice because they are earning, and thus contribute to decision making and make choices they otherwise may not have the opportunity to make.”
Governor Powes concluded by telling the convention that gender equality is not some UN agenda or foreign concept. The frames of our constitution enshrined “equality for all and equal participation” in our National Goals and Directives.
“It is our constitutional duty to give every man and woman. Every boy and girl has an equal opportunity to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.