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] |