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Building an inclusive workforce in Papua New Guinea

18.11.2025

Carolina Valenzuela, GPE

The Papua New Guinea Education Advocacy Network (PEAN) is driving policy change on inclusive education and employment helping young women like Kerry and Bianca, who are living with disabilities, breaking barriers and shape their futures.

Barriers to education for children with disabilities

In Papua New Guinea, many children with disabilities are not formally identified, meaning they often miss out on the targeted support needed to help them succeed in school. Without early screening and proper assessment, their needs remain unseen.

Across the country, many children with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from fully exercising their right to education.
Schools frequently lack accessible infrastructure such as ramps or handrails, learning materials are rarely adapted for children with visual or hearing impairments, and few teachers receive training in inclusive education practices that support students with different learning needs.

Without supportive environments, many of these children drop out before completing basic education. Church-run and private schools sometimes provide alternative pathways, but large gaps remain.

Around 1.2 million people in Papua New Guinea live with disabilities, many of whom are excluded from education and employment—representing a significant missed opportunity for the country’s development.

Credit: GPE/Esteban Barrera

“For Papua New Guinea, we consider education a driver — it can make or break a nation. Education provides the knowledge and technical skills to ensure everybody can contribute toward the country’s economic growth,” says Walipe Wingi, Deputy Secretary and GPE Focal Point, National Department of Education.

Kerry and Bianca are two young women charting their own paths in Papua New Guinea, each navigating life with a disability but filled with determination and hope. As a procurement trainee at the Hilton Hotel, Kerry demonstrates daily that talent is not limited by physical ability. Supported by an inclusive workplace, she is thriving.
“At Hilton, I feel free, I feel included. The space is accessible, everybody is friendly. Every other company should be doing this,” says Kerry Wawowo.

Bianca, a final-year law student, has faced obstacles such as inaccessible classrooms and transport and has transformed these into a mission: to advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.
“My interest in law is because I want to see justice and equality in my society—to stand up for the vulnerable and the unheard. Education gives people the confidence and skills to contribute,” says Bianca Kongrui.

Through her resilience, Bianca has become a role model in her community.
“People have witnessed me go through something difficult and still move forward. I believe that inspires others to do the same.”

Kerry and Bianca’s journeys reflect the promise of Papua New Guinea’s National Employment Policy, developed with the support of the Papua New Guinea Education Advocacy Network (PEAN)—a civil society coalition funded through Education Out Loud.

PEAN and its 25 member organizations have been instrumental in advancing inclusive education and employment policies nationwide, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“The community voices play a significant role because they are the voices that need to be heard. Our role is to make sure these voices are heard by the government,” says David Kumie, Executive Director, PEAN.

This article was originally posted on GPE’s website. See the original article here.