With the support of Microfinance Expansion Project partners and microfinance institutions, the Bank of PNG launched the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in 2017.

Practical implementation of the GESI policy is essential to build institutional capacity, influence behavioral change, develop awareness and create an accessible, equitable and inclusive environment for those who are currently financially excluded.

Early training and awareness and implementation of the GESI policy has been undertaken with nine partner financial institutions. These partners vary greatly in size, operational capacity, customer numbers and outreach. They range from a small, one-branch Savings and Loans Society to the much larger, more sophisticated, multi-branch microbanks and more than 150 employees.

The overall goal is to increase women’s financial inclusion in Papua New Guinea by enabling women to access, and effectively operate, useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs.

Importantly, this work also supports;

• APEC 2018 digital financial inclusion activities;
• 2016 – 2020 National Financial Inclusion Strategy priority areas;
• Vision 2050 pillars; and
• PNG Development Strategy Plan 2010-2030 priorities.

The CEFI Office in its commitment to mainstream the implementation of the GESI policy established, and launched a GESI Desk on the 08^th of March 2021, while celebrating the International Women’s Day. To date, the desk functionally serves as a focal point in providing directions to women-led SMEs for business support services, CEFI’s training and coaching programs, etc…