Gender officer aspires to facilitate Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI)policy

We would like to introduce to you Ms. Lithiana Nondebia. She is the Acting Senior Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer of the Department of Personnel Management.

She recently completed her 5-weeks training on Gender Mainstreaming for Government Officers in Japan. Representing Papua New Guinea, Ms. Nondebia had the privilege of training alongside participants from Belize, Fiji, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines and Solomon Islands. This program aims to enhance capability of the National Machinery, other ministries and administrative bodies to disseminate the perspective of gender mainstreaming and gender equality in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and plans in various fields.

Experience in Japan
Ms. Nondebia was privileged to visit two different training centres. She described her time at JICA Kyushu and JICA Tokyo; as offering the perfect blend of comfort and professionalism; making both centres an ideal setting for government officers to engage in meaningful skill development. She expressed that Japan serves as an exemplary model for living and working, showcasing a level of development that PNG could aspire to achieve; an environment that is both functional and culturally rich.

Action Plan
Ms. Nondebia's Action Plan focuses on JICA-related programs aimed at promoting Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in PNG. She intends to conduct GESI Sensitization and Mainstreaming Workshops across the Public Service targeting 10 to 15 Departmental Agencies. Her plan aligns with Objective 9 of her Departments' Corporate Plan to “ensure that there are competent, effective, efficient and reliable Public Servants at all levels of Governments and Administrations in Monitoring and Improving Public Service Performance”. Their Corporate Plan (2023 - 2027) has been framed to focus on achieving Long-Term government agendas, especially on improving Public Service Machinery.

JICA considers the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion an important priority. We sincerely hope that the knowledge and experience gained through this training will contribute to advancing gender mainstreaming within Papua New Guinea’s public service.