PNG women strengthening research capacity and building international networks

 

For Gretel Matawan, a training program aimed at strengthening evidence-based decision making wasn’t just an opportunity for her own professional development, it was also an opportunity to support better outcomes for communities across Papua New Guinea.

Gretel is a Senior Project Officer with the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), a Port Moresby-based organisation that facilitates dialogue among government, civil society and the private sector.

On 13 February 2026, she was among 40 Papua New Guinean women researchers to graduate from a program delivered by the APEC Study Centre at RMIT University, Melbourne.

The intensive capacity building program focused on developing advanced research skills and supporting participants to design high quality research linked to PNG’s development priorities.

The program brought together women from key national institutions such as the Bank of Papua New Guinea, the National Research Institute and the University of Papua New Guinea.

Ms Matawan, whose work at CIMC focuses on enhancing women’s participation in the annual budget process, has already begun putting her skills into practice.

“I started in data entry and then data analysis and then became a research assistant. Being able to build on my skills and take those skills back to my work, share them with my colleagues, and contribute to better research design that provides evidence-based policy recommendations is a win for all of us,” she said.

“I’m applying what I’ve learned in this program to gathering better data from local communities, especially women, to help design a budget. One that includes grass roots needs such as improving health and education at local level.”

“With the women represented in this group, from universities and think tanks, we can grow this into something big,” says Ms Elizabeth Dumu, who participated in the program. “Together we can contribute to meaningful development of this country.”

The Strongim Risets Kapasiti Bilong Ol Meri (SRKBOM) program forms part of the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting women’s participation in a diverse and inclusive research sector, contributing to long-term, sustainable economic growth.

ENDS

Women researchers from Port Moresby have completed the second in country ‘Strengthening Women’s Research Capacity in PNG’ workshop and are pictured with Dr Cate Rogers, Australian High Commission Minister-Counsellor, (centre), at the graduation ceremony on Friday 13 February.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100