Westpac Outstanding Women Award Explained

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] [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.

Prize categories

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

Original categories

• Public Sector Award
• Entrepreneurship Award
• Private Sector Award
• Community Responsibility Award
• Young Achiever
• Westpac Women in Business Award (changed in 2013 to Westpac Outstanding Women Award)

Categories added in 2015

• Sports Award
• Not for Profit Award

Sponsorship

Westpac Papua New Guinea, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation of Australia, is the primary sponsor and organizer of the award.

Other companies have joined in sponsoring one or more awards over the years.^{[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]} Typically, these companies contribute cash to sponsor a prize for the finalist in each category, which supports those finalists in continuing their work.

Selection of recipients

The WOW Awards extend a call for nominations each year, and filed an average of 70-80 nominations annually. In 2016, there were over 100 nominations. From among these nominations, a judging panel composed of representatives from Westpac, high-level sponsors, and the community picks a first round of finalists.^[16] 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. Ultimately, the panel selects one finalist per category, and from among these nominees select the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman Awardee.

Award recipients

!Year!Award!Recipient

2007-2008	Young Achievers	Samantha Maria Andreas^[17] ^[18]
2009	Overall Westpac Women in Business Award	Betty Higgins^[19]
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Sector Award	Mary Handen^[20]
	Daltron Entrepreneur Award winner	Betty Higgins
	Cardno Acil Public Sector Award	Dr. Rona Nebita Nadile
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Tessie Soi
	IBBM Young Achievers’ Award	Monica Pomat
2011	Overall Westpac Women in Business Award	Sarah Haoda Todd^[21]
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Sarah Haoda Todd
	PricewaterHouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Award	Monica Toisenegila
	Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) Public Sector Award	Naomi Faik-Simet
	Young Achiever's Award	Sylvia Pascoe
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Rosemary Vartuam Sovek
2012	Overall Westpac Women in Business Award	Susil Nelson^[22] ^[23]
	Steamship Public Sector Award	Eleina Butuna
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Helam Koaik
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Naime Tom
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Mary Pohei
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Florence Lou Willie
2013	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Maria Linibi^[24]
	Steamship Public Sector Award	Dr Mobumo Kiromat
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Sarah Shelley
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Dorish Cheryl Mondo Mulas
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Maria Linibi
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Anthonia Apurel
2014	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Lesieli Taviri^[25]
	Steamship Public Sector Award	Esther Roibete Apuahe
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Christina Josephine Cragnolini
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Mazzella Maniwavie
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Penny Sage-embo
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Lesieli Taviri
2015	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Janet Sape^[26]
	Steamship Public Sector Award	Janet Sios
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Joyce Kiage
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Michelle Boyama
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Beverly Pambali-Piawu
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Janet Sape
	Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award	Dr. Evelyn Lavu
	Moore Printing Sport Award	Veitu Diro
2016	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Bosa Togs^[27]
	Steamship Public Sector Award	Dorothy Lamin Koch-Waluta
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Rita Jaima Paru
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Jacqueline Joseph
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Annastascia Wanasawo
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Bosa Togs
	Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award	Dr Lutty Amos
	Moore Printing Sport Award	Julienne Leka-Maliaki
2017-2018	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Ruth Jewels Kissam^[28]
	Precinct Public Sector Award	Mollina Mercy Kapal
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Dorothy Luana
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Crystal Kewe
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Ruth Kissam
	Steamships Not For Profit Award	Priscilla Kevin
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Karo Lelai
	Moore Printing Sport Award	Cybele Druma
2019	Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award	Raylance Mesa^[29]
	ExxonMobil PNGLNG Public Sector Award	Betty Jacobs
	SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award	Vani Nades
	IBBM Young Achiever's Award	Raylance Mesa
	Trukai Community Responsibility Award	Freda Yakio
	PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards	Hillary Turnamur
	Moore Printing Sport Award	Margaret Aka
	Steamships Not For Profit Award	Petra Arfeae

Notes and References

1. Web site: Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards into 12th Year – EMTV Online. 2021-01-17. en-US.
2. Book: Spark, Ceridwen. The New Port Moresby: Gender, Space, and Belonging in Urban Papua New Guinea. University of Hawaii Press. 2020. 978-0824881801. Honolulu. 88.
3. Web site: 2013-06-14. WOW: It's on again this year. 2021-01-18. The National. en-US.
4. Web site: 2018-12-13. Westpac launches WOW awards for 2019. 2021-01-17. Post Courier. en-US.
5. Web site: World Economic Forum. 2019. Global Gender Gap Report 2020. World Economic Forum.
6. Web site: Human Development Reports. 2021-01-17. www.hdr.undp.org.
7. News: Davidson. Helen. 2013-07-19. Papua New Guinea: a country suffering spiralling violence. en-GB. The Guardian. 2021-01-17. 0261-3077.
8. Web site: Westpac Outstanding Women Awards Announced. 2021-01-17. KTF. en-GB.
9. Web site: 2013-10-02. Bank unveils 14 women finalists for awards. 2021-01-18. The National. en-US.
10. Web site: 11th Westpac Outstanding Women's Award – EMTV Online. 2021-01-17. en-US.
11. Web site: 2014-08-07. WOW awards receive support. 2021-01-17. The National. en-US.
12. Web site: 2018-02-22. SP gives K25,000 for women awards. 2021-01-17. Post Courier. en-US.
13. Web site: Bauai. Gloria. 2016-08-25. SP Brewery backs Westpac's Entrepreneur Award. 2021-01-17. Loop PNG. en.
14. Web site: 2019-03-10. Raylance scoops overall WOW award 2019. 2021-01-17. Post Courier. en-US.
15. Web site: 2015-07-27. Westpac announces 2015 women's awards. 2021-01-17. The National. en-US.
16. Web site: Westpac Outstanding Women Awards. 2021-01-18. www.facebook.com. en.
17. Web site: Ok Tedi Mining. 2008. Annual Review 2008. Ok Tedi Mining.
18. Web site: UK in the South Pacific. 2019-08-15. Congratulations Ms. Samantha Maria Andreas, on your #Chevening scholarship.. Facebook.
19. Web site: Kewei. Cynthia. 2009-10-23. Women shine at the 2009 Westpac Women in Business Awards. Westpac.
20. Web site: 2015-09-23. Mother inspires daughters. 2021-01-17. The National. en-US.
21. Web site: 2011-10-20. Westpac names winners of WIB awards. 2021-01-18. The National. en-US.
22. Web site: 2012-10-19. Express Niugini: Westpac honours PNG women. 2021-01-18. Express Niugini.
23. Web site: 2012-10-17. Nelson wins Westpac WiB award. 2021-01-18. The National. en-US.
24. Web site: 2013-10-18. Women's agro rep wins WOW award. 2021-01-18. The National. en-US.
25. Web site: 2014-10-29. People moves: Virgin Australia, Departments of Treasury and Justice, Outstanding Women Awards. 2021-01-18. Business Advantage PNG. en-US.
26. Web site: 2015 Westpac Outstanding Wowen Awards – EMTV Online. 2021-01-18. en-US.
27. Web site: 2016-10-25. WOW Awards winners for 2016. 2021-01-18. Loop PNG. en.
28. Web site: 2018-03-21. Women in ICT take out Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards!. 2021-01-18. PNG ICT Meri. en.
29. Web site: 12th Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards – EMTV Online. 2021-01-18. en-US.