The Gender and Development Branch within the Department for Community Development promotes gender issues and act as a focal point for women in government.

The Gender and Development Branch works predominantly with provincial and district administrations and other government departments, and much of this work involves:

• Preparing the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) national initial and periodic reports as it concerns Papua New Guinea’s commitments in relation to this Convention
• Input into sectoral policies of Government e.g Development of Women in Mining Action Plan (Department for Mining)
• Review of current logging operations in PNG, eg inputs into impacts of women
• Working with Men on Training Manual
• Establishing the Office of Development of Women. (ODW)

The Branch also assist churches and non-government organisations through providing technical advice to the National Council of Women, as well as awareness raising activities concerning gender equity with organisations such as non-government organisations and trade unions. This extends to training programs that raise awareness of gender equity issues and specific issues affecting women and children through district focal points

Through 2007, the Branch has carried out work in the all the Islands provinces, Central Province, East Sepik and the National Capital District (NCD) In the next twelve months, the Branch intends working with provincial and district counterparts in Oro, Sandaun, West New Britain, Simbu, Eastern Highlands, East Sepik, New Ireland, NCD and Central provinces.

Currently, the branch is working on the CEDAW report, the development of a national training programme for roll-out through district focal points and the establishment of the ODW. The Branch has just completed the physical set-up of the Office with the Office expected to be fully operational in 2008.

In addition to the ODW establishment, the Gender and Development Branch also intends submitting the initial and periodic report concerning CEDAW and rolling out the training programme to the four district focal points that form part of the first wave of the Integrated Community Development Policy in 2008.

There are four staff and two managers in the Gender and Development Branch.