Gender and Microfinance in Bougainville: A Case Study

This article describes the experiences of raising gender awareness among participants in the Bougainville Microfinance Scheme (BMFS).

The article states that:

• BMFS aimed to encourage self-reliance and financial independence;
• The “Gender and Development” (GAD) component of the project sought to promote equal opportunities for women and men as participants in and beneficiaries of development;
• The project included three gender workshops, which aimed to:
  • Promote women’s understanding of BMFS,
  • Review the potential role of women and elucidate factors constraining their participation,
  • Promote men’s understanding of women’s expectations and roles in “Bogainville Haus Moni” (BHM) – BMFS’s central federated body,
  • Develop specific recommendations on gender inclusiveness and gender sensitive strategies.
• The workshop achievements included:
  • Successful group discussions on how women earn and whether they control what they earn;
  • Identification of constraints at individual, household and community levels;
  • Obtaining men’s support to the BMFS project;
  • The development of recommendations about communication, training, decision-making and policy development.

The article concludes by stating that:

• The workshop resulted in women and men gathering together to conduct awareness sessions in their respective communities;
• BMFS has grown in leaps and bounds;
• It is important to have a gender development officer (GDO), who is familiar with the local social, cultural and political context.