Breaking Down Barriers:

Promoting the Economic Empowerment of Pacific Women

Sabine Spohn
Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office, Sydney

The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology

The Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative

Is a regional technical assistance facility operating in 14 Pacific countries, co-financed by AusAID and NZ Aid Programme Works with government and the private sector Improves the business enabling environment Has a sound foundation of analytical work Gender mainstreaming in all supported activities

Pillars, 201319
Crosscutting Themes

Analytical Work/Strategic Mgt M&E & Knowledge Mgmt Gender Mainstreaming

PSDI Core Pillars

A2F

BLR

SOE/PPP

EEOW

COMP

PSDI: Economic empowerment of Women in the Pacific

PSDI: Economic empowerment of Women in the Pacific

Case Study: Company Law Reform in Solomon Islands

Timeline Company Haus

2006: ADB PSDI begins assisting the Government 2009: Companies Act passes 2010: Companies Act commences in July 2010: Electronic Registry goes live in December 2013+: PSDI providing ongoing mentoring, technical assistance and training www.companyhaus.gov.sb/

How have these reforms benefited women in Solomon Islands?

1. Average Time to Incorporate a Business

2. Cost of Registering a Business

3. No Discrimination in the Process

Not a discretionary process registrations cannot be rejected based on gender

No (male) co-signatory required

No (male) co-directors required

4. Increased Registered Female Shareholders

1 year after registry launch= +/- 600 (2011) 2 years after registry launch= +/- 867 (end 2012)

5. Women Directors
Since the reforms, 815 women directors have formally registered companies

Case Study: Papua New Guinea Mobile Phone Banking with Nationwide Microbank

Nationwide Microbank
Pilot project under ADB Microfinance & Employment Project Wau Microbank established in 2004 Name changed to Nationwide Microbank in 2008, and granted full banking license 125,000 savings accounts holders served through 12 branches

Nationwide Microbank - MiCash

Pilot launched in West New Britain Province in November 2011 Gradual roll out to other provinces from June 2012 Real-time link into core banking system Person-to-person payments, cash in/cash-out, airtime top up, bill pay Agent network managed by Oceanic Communications Limited Airtime reseller

Nationwide Microbank - MiCash

As of 15 April 2013: 12,000 active customers, thereof 61% in rural areas 77% new customers 34% female 136 points of access (agent / branch) More than 100,000 value transactions K9.0 million in transactions ($4.0 million) Average balance of K229 ($102)

ADB Support for MiCash

Strategic advice on Nationwide Microbanks positioning in branchless banking field Product concept Review of pilot program Product development Development of audit and risk management processes Development of training materials for staff and agents

How have these activities benefited women in Papua New Guinea?

 Most of the women previously had no access to financial services

Market transactions can become cashless there is less security risk Money can be stored safely and out of sight of husband and other family members Women can decide whom to share financial information with

Thank you.

More information contact :

Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office www.adb.org/offices/pacific/main psdi@adb.org