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