Westpac Outstanding Women Award

Award recognizing female professionals in Papua New Giunea

The Westpac Outstanding Women Award (shortened to WOW Award) recognizes exceptional professional work of women in Papua New Guinea.[1] Since its inception in 2006,[2] when it was called the Westpac Women in Business Award,[3] the Award has recognized the achievements of individual women in multiple categories. Each category awardee then becomes a finalist for the overall WOW Award.[4] In the face of acknowledged gender inequity in the country,[5][6][1][7] the WOW Awards call attention to the crucial and highly skilled work done by women across a number of sectors.[8] The winner of the WOW Award receives a grant to pursue a formal education, professional mentoring, opportunities for professional learning and networking at an Australian Executive Women's Leadership symposium, and a cash prize.[9] The WOW Awards support the belief that investment in women leads to stronger economic outcomes for a nation as a whole, and strives to provide role models for the girls and women of the country.[1][4]

Prize categories

The number of categories in which women are recognized has expanded over the years:

Original categories

  • Public Sector Award
  • Entrepreneurship Award
  • Private Sector Award
  • Community Responsibility Award
  • Young Achiever
  • Westpac Women in Business Award[10] (changed in 2013 to Westpac Outstanding Women Award[3])

Categories added in 2015

  • Sports Award
  • Not for Profit Award[11]

Sponsorship

Westpac Papua New Guinea, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation of Australia, is the primary sponsor and organizer of the award.[1]

Other companies have joined in sponsoring one or more awards over the years.[12][13][14][15][16][11][17] Typically, these companies contribute cash to sponsor a prize for the finalist in each category, which supports those finalists in continuing their work.[13][14][15]

Selection of recipients

The WOW Awards extend a call for nominations each year, and filed an average of 70-80 nominations annually.[1] In 2016, there were over 100 nominations.[18] From among these nominations, a judging panel composed of representatives from Westpac, high-level sponsors, and the community picks a first round of finalists.[19][9][17] Judges interview each finalist to assess their: capacity to lead, influence, and inspire others in pursuit of challenging goals; record of operating with integrity and good governance; achievement in appropriate areas, such as school, sports, or professional activities; and personal and professional values.[17] Ultimately, the panel selects one finalist per category, and from among these nominees select the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman Awardee.

Award recipients

Year Award Recipient
2007-2008 Young Achievers Samantha Maria Andreas[20][21]
2009 Overall Westpac Women in Business Award Betty Higgins[17]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Sector Award Mary Handen[22][17]
Daltron Entrepreneur Award winner Betty Higgins[17]
Cardno Acil Public Sector Award Dr. Rona Nebita Nadile[17]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Tessie Soi[17]
IBBM Young Achievers’ Award Monica Pomat[17]
2011 Overall Westpac Women in Business Award Sarah Haoda Todd[10]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Sarah Haoda Todd[10]
PricewaterHouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Award Monica Toisenegila[10]
Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) Public Sector Award Naomi Faik-Simet[10]
Young Achiever's Award Sylvia Pascoe[10]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Rosemary Vartuam Sovek[10]
2012 Overall Westpac Women in Business Award Susil Nelson[23][24]
Steamship Public Sector Award Eleina Butuna[24]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Helam Koaik[24]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Naime Tom[24]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Mary Pohei[24]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Florence Lou Willie[24]
2013 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Maria Linibi[25]
Steamship Public Sector Award Dr Mobumo Kiromat[25]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Sarah Shelley[25]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Dorish Cheryl Mondo Mulas[25]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Maria Linibi[25]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Anthonia Apurel[25]
2014 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Lesieli Taviri[26]
Steamship Public Sector Award Esther Roibete Apuahe[26]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Christina Josephine Cragnolini[26]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Mazzella Maniwavie[26]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Penny Sage-embo[26]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Lesieli Taviri[26]
2015 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Janet Sape[27]
Steamship Public Sector Award Janet Sios[27]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Joyce Kiage[27]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Michelle Boyama[27]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Beverly Pambali-Piawu[27]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Janet Sape[27]
Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award Dr. Evelyn Lavu[27]
Moore Printing Sport Award Veitu Diro[27]
2016 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Bosa Togs[18]
Steamship Public Sector Award Dorothy Lamin Koch-Waluta[18]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Rita Jaima Paru[18]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Jacqueline Joseph[18]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Annastascia Wanasawo[18]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Bosa Togs[18]
Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award Dr Lutty Amos[18]
Moore Printing Sport Award Julienne Leka-Maliaki[18]
2017-2018 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Ruth Jewels Kissam[28]
Precinct Public Sector Award Mollina Mercy Kapal[28]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Dorothy Luana[28]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Crystal Kewe[28]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Ruth Kissam[28]
Steamships Not For Profit Award Priscilla Kevin[28]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Karo Lelai[28]
Moore Printing Sport Award Cybele Druma[28]
2019 Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award Raylance Mesa[29]
ExxonMobil PNGLNG Public Sector Award Betty Jacobs[29]
SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award Vani Nades[29]
IBBM Young Achiever's Award Raylance Mesa[29]
Trukai Community Responsibility Award Freda Yakio[29]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards Hillary Turnamur[29]
Moore Printing Sport Award Margaret Aka[29]
Steamships Not For Profit Award Petra Arfeae[29]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards into 12th Year – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  2. ^ Spark, Ceridwen (2020). The New Port Moresby: Gender, Space, and Belonging in Urban Papua New Guinea. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-0824881801.
  3. ^ a b "WOW: It's on again this year". The National. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  4. ^ a b "Westpac launches WOW awards for 2019". Post Courier. 2018-12-13. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  5. ^ World Economic Forum (2019). "Global Gender Gap Report 2020" (PDF). World Economic Forum.
  6. ^ "| Human Development Reports". www.hdr.undp.org. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  7. ^ Davidson, Helen (2013-07-19). "Papua New Guinea: a country suffering spiralling violence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  8. ^ "Westpac Outstanding Women Awards Announced". KTF. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  9. ^ a b "Bank unveils 14 women finalists for awards". The National. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Westpac names winners of WIB awards". The National. 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  11. ^ a b "Westpac announces 2015 women's awards". The National. 2015-07-27. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  12. ^ "11th Westpac Outstanding Women's Award – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  13. ^ a b "WOW awards receive support". The National. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  14. ^ a b "SP gives K25,000 for women awards". Post Courier. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  15. ^ a b Bauai, Gloria (2016-08-25). "SP Brewery backs Westpac's Entrepreneur Award". Loop PNG. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  16. ^ "Raylance scoops overall WOW award 2019". Post Courier. 2019-03-10. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kewei, Cynthia (2009-10-23). "Women shine at the 2009 Westpac Women in Business Awards" (PDF). Westpac.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "WOW Awards winners for 2016". Loop PNG. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  19. ^ "Westpac Outstanding Women Awards". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  20. ^ Ok Tedi Mining (2008). "Annual Review 2008" (PDF). Ok Tedi Mining.
  21. ^ UK in the South Pacific (2019-08-15). "Congratulations Ms. Samantha Maria Andreas, on your #Chevening scholarship". Facebook.
  22. ^ "Mother inspires daughters". The National. 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  23. ^ "Express Niugini: Westpac honours PNG women". Express Niugini. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Nelson wins Westpac WiB award". The National. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Women's agro rep wins WOW award". The National. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "People moves: Virgin Australia, Departments of Treasury and Justice, Outstanding Women Awards". Business Advantage PNG. 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "2015 Westpac Outstanding Wowen Awards – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h "Women in ICT take out Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards!". PNG ICT Meri. 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h "12th Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-18.