Posted on November, 30 2024

Madang, Papua New Guinea – Fifteen community representatives from seven communities in Madang Province recently completed an intensive four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, equipping them with the skills to advocate for gender equality, disability inclusion, and social equity in marine resource management.

Organized by WWF-PNG with funding support from WWF-Australia’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) program—delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)—the workshop aimed to strengthen inclusive leadership and ensure community-led conservation efforts benefit all members of society.

For more than a decade, WWF-Pacific has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. As part of the USAID-funded OurFish OurFuture (OFOF) project, WWF-Pacific is working to maintain healthy, well-managed, secure, and sustainable coastal fisheries ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region. The recent ToT workshop in Madang is a critical step in this initiative, empowering a network of GEDSI Champions to drive inclusive conservation efforts within their communities.

A Step Toward Inclusive Conservation
Since May 2023, the GEDSI program has implemented various mainstreaming activities across 15 OFOF project communities in Madang. Community engagement efforts, including focused group discussions, revealed a significant need for inclusive leadership training. In response, WWF-PNG, through the GEDSI Program, partnered with Advancing PNG: Women’s Leaders Initiative (PNG: WLI) to deliver a two-day Inclusive Leadership Training Workshop in November 2023, complemented by three months of coaching support.

Building on these efforts, a follow-up assessment in May 2024 highlighted the need for deeper community understanding of WWF’s program strategies and the role of key stakeholders in addressing GEDSI gaps. This led to the second GEDSI Champion Workshop in June 2024, where key stakeholders provided direct insights and strengthened collaborations to support community-led solutions.

Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
During the June workshop, the Acting Director for the Provincial Fisheries Authority (PFA) presented on the agency’s strategic role in supporting community-based marine resource management. Many community participants gained valuable insight into how they could effectively communicate their needs to government agencies.

Additionally, the Provincial Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) Vice President shared firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and emphasized the importance of integrating disability inclusion into conservation efforts.

A representative from the Disability Service Provider outlined a community-based rehabilitation program designed to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) through active participation in community initiatives, fostering greater social and economic inclusion.

Building a Future of Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership
Through these three participatory GEDSI Champion workshops, WWF-PNG has fostered a culturally sensitive and inclusive approach to decision-making in marine resource management. By championing women’s leadership, advocating for youth and PWD participation, and strengthening stakeholder engagement, these GEDSI Champions are at the forefront of driving transformative change within their communities.

Jennifer Gabriel, WWF-Pacific’s GEDSI Advisor, highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Ensuring the meaningful participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in conservation decision-making is key to achieving long-term sustainability and resilience in our communities. Through these workshops, we are not only equipping local champions with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for inclusive conservation but also strengthening the networks that will support them in making a lasting impact.”

As WWF-Pacific continues to expand its GEDSI initiatives, the knowledge and leadership skills gained through these workshops will be instrumental in shaping more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable coastal fisheries management across Madang Province and beyond.

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