Project Background:  

The Women Make the Change (WMC) project is a joint initiative of UNDP and UN Women in Papua New Guinea, advancing women’s political participation and leadership at all levels of decision-making. The project strengthens the enabling environment for gender equality in governance by supporting women to engage in leadership roles at national and sub-national levels.

Working in partnership with government institutions, political parties, civil society, and communities, WMC promotes inclusive governance frameworks and addresses barriers that limit women’s leadership opportunities. The project provides technical support for legal and policy reforms, builds the capacity and preparedness of women candidates through training and mentoring, and fosters dialogue to challenge harmful norms and attitudes.

By increasing women’s representation in politics and public life, WMC contributes directly to Papua New Guinea’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and supports the Government’s vision for inclusive and participatory governance.

The WMC project reflects the shared commitment of UNDP and UN Women to empower women as leaders and change-makers, ensuring their voices help shape a more equitable and sustainable future for Papua New Guinea. 

Project Outputs: 

Following the 2027 National General Elections, women are represented at the same or increased levels in political positions, the legal and policy frameworks to enable women’s participation are enhanced or enacted, and women’s rights institutions and coalitions are strengthened to effectively represent women’s voices in political decision-making arenas.

Output 1: By 2027, a cadre of diverse and capable women political leaders are developed, and their organising bodies and coalitions are strengthened and visible at national and sub-national levels

Output 2: Laws and policy frameworks are strengthened, advocated for and implemented to promote gender balance in political decision-making bodies

Output 3: Women candidates and coalitions are visible in the run-up to 2027 elections and women are perceived as equally legitimate and effective leaders as men

Output 4: Capacities of key women’s rights institutions and political bodies are strengthened, and women are promoted as leaders in gender-sensitive political institutions.

Expected Results:

Phase 2 of Women Make the Change seeks to contribute to the 2030 Agenda in support of the SDGs, specifically SDG-5 (gender equality), as well as SDG-16, Target 16.7 which explicitly calls on stakeholders to “ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels”. The project directly contributes to outcomes of the PNG United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) 2024-2028, specifically:

Outcome 1: By 2028, women and girls in Papua New Guinea, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable, exercise their rights and agency and live a life free from all forms of discrimination and violence.

o 1.1 Percentage of seats held by women in: (a) national parliament and the Bougainville House of Representatives (BHOR); (b) local government; (c) ministerial positions held by women in the National Parliament and the BHOR.

● Output 1.1: Women and the Enabling Environment: Enhanced gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at all levels in line with international norms and standards in the implementation of legislation, policies and financing.

o 1.1.1 Number of laws, policies, strategies, action plans and regulations, based on international human rights norms and standards, developed and adopted with UN support to protect and promote: a) gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE); b) state accountability to the implementation of laws and policies and global commitments to advance GEWE.

● Output 1.2: Women and Leadership: Women occupy more leadership and decision-making positions in the political and public spheres at all levels.

o 1.2.1 Extent that measures developed/implemented with UN support advance women and girls’ leadership and    equal participation in decision-making, with UN support, in: a) Public institutions; b) Elected positions including parliaments (SDG 5.5.1_1)

o 1.2.2 Number of women: 1) contesting elections at the national level 2) receiving endorsement from political parties.

Status: Active

Project Time Frame:

Project Start Date: August 2025

Project End Date: July 2028

Location: National 

Focus Area: Women's political participation 

Partners: 

Department of Community Development and Religion (DFCDR), Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG), Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates Commission (IPPCC), Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) 

Donor(s): Government of Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Budget: USD 2,753,367.87 (UNDP’s allocation)

Contacts: 

Ms. Zoe Pelter

Assistant Resident Representative Governance, Gender and Peace 

Zoe.pelter@undp.org