Gender Mainstreaming, Employment and Youth - Australia

The economic empowerment of women—especially through their involvement in trade— creates opportunities for increased income and jobs, as well as independence. In partnership with the International Trade Centre, Australia is helping to increase the economic benefits that business-women in the Pacific region derive from their participation in trade. For example, in Papua New Guinea, craftswomen using bilum are being assisted to form cooperatives and market their products internationally. In Samoa, support is being provided to business-women to better access government-procurement processes, and in Vanuatu, women farmers and their communities are being linked to the tourism value-chain on Espiritu Santo Island, the fastest growing cruise-ship destination in Vanuatu.