Today to celebrate the International Women's Day at Lamana Hotel the Port Moresby EU Head of Delegation and Ambassador H.E. Mr. Jacques Fardin signed two Human Rights Thematic grant contracts to support women’s economic empowerment in PNG. The signing will support two projects that will be implemented by World Vision and the Specialty Coffee Association of PNG with each receiving 3.5 million kina on their projects to support women economic empowerment in PNG. This year the International Women’s Day is themed as, “Accelerate Action” underlines these two projects that will be carried out by the World Vision PNG and Specialty Coffee Association. World Vision PNG project “ Sapotim Strongpla Meri "will support 150 women entrepreneurs in Autonomous Region of Bougainville in focus of Marketing accessibility, transition process from informal to formal business and Property Investment and ownership in aims to recognize women in business. While Specialty Coffee Association project focus on training women to enhance access their skills in coffee with farming and facility processing which will be taken up in 7 provinces in the highland's region with the aim to teach each woman in the coffee business with entrepreneurial service, financial service and business leadership. These two projects that is now supported by EU falls under the United Nation’s campaign around International Women’s Day this year, emphasizes the need to accelerate action to achieve gender equality with the theme, “For all Women and Girl’s empowerment” underlines the increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. But despite the progress, women and girls’ rights continue to be violated around the world including in Papua New Guinea. So, to address these ongoing challenges, the European Union has developed the roadmap for Women’s Right, a strategic plan focused on advancing gender equality by combating gender-based violence, protecting women’s and girls’ rights and ensuring equal opportunities in all areas of society. This is reflected in the EU’s targeted support, which provides funding exclusively to PNG Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working to promote human rights. The EU sees CSOs as the crucial for human rights, democracy and satiability, helping to improve livelihoods, support small producers and women’s and shape polices that reduce inequalities. As CSO’s promote accountability, human rights and transparency by providing free information and monitoring governance, corruption and policy impact. Back in 2024, the EU delegation launched a call for proposal focused on ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment and Leadership,’ aiming to remove barriers to market access, investment and business development for women, including marginalized groups, youths and those with disabilities. The initiative promotes inclusive economic opportunities and supports the transition from informal to small or medium-sized businesses and to support this initiative in PNG, EU signs two Human Rights Thematic grants contracts supporting 'Women's Economic Empowerment' by commemorating the International Women's Day. Present on today’s signing at Lamana Hotel in joining H.E. Mr. Jacques Fradin, is World Vision PNG National Director Chris JENSEN and Mr. Ken PEP from the Specialty Coffee Association and this was witnessed by the Minister for Security and Bougainville Regional MP, Peter Tsiamalili. And to conclude, the EU Port Moresby Head of Delegation/Ambassador thanked World Vision and Specialty Coffee Association of PNG, the Government of Papua New Guinea, and civil society for their strong collaboration in advancing protecting human rights, equal opportunity and gender equality.