ExxonMobil PNG Limited, operator of the PNG LNG Project, has proudly supported the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Rise Up Young Women’s Leadership Peer Training for the third year.
ExxonMobil PNG provided support for 23 young women, aged 15 to 35, from Papa Village to attend the education program at Koke Hanua Lodge in Boera recently.
The 2018 training program consisted of nine sessions across five days on a range of topics including public speaking, understanding culture and tradition, human and women’s rights, gender-based violence, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual reproductive health and rights, climate change and leadership.
ExxonMobil PNG Community Development and National Content Manager, Sisa Kini, said ExxonMobil PNG is committed to the education and support of women in Papua New Guinea through programs like the YWCA Young Women’s Leadership Education Training.
“Our partnership with the YWCA allows young women to be trained to have more confidence and be recognised as potential leaders in their own communities, to voice their views on issues that are affecting them and be a catalyst for change,” said Ms Kini.
“The YWCA is one of the oldest and largest women’s organisations in the world, and we are proud to be able to support its work in PNG to empower women and girls to lead change in the community.”
As part of its commitment to this training program, ExxonMobil PNG provided support through YWCA for stationery, transport, and meals for the participants and facilitators during the five-day program.
Naomi Woyengu, National Young Women’s Coordinator at YWCA, said the training was a great success and the support that YWCA continues to receive from ExxonMobil PNG is invaluable.
“With the help of companies like ExxonMobil PNG, we are able to raise awareness of our programs in the communities, and to help young women feel empowered and find formal employment.”
The “Rise Up” initiative, developed by the YWCA Solomon Islands in 2011, was established to educate and empower young women and girls to lead change in their society.
Since 2016, ExxonMobil PNG has supported the YWCA in training 132 Papua New Guinean women from plant site communities including Boera, Porebada and Lealea. ExxonMobil PNG also contributed funding to renovate the YWCA PNG Head Office in Port Moresby in 2016.