IFC Advisory Services in East Asia and the Pacific Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific In Partnership with AusAID © 2010 International Finance Corporation 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC 20433USA Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.ifc.org The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of IFC or the governments they represent. IFC does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of IFC concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific Preface and Acknowledgements Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific is the result of collaboration between the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The report has been produced for current and future business women of the Pacific, to share lessons about how they started their business, the obstacles and opportunities encountered in going for growth, and the exciting next steps planned for these business women. A wide variety of business women tell their story in this report, from market women selling shell jewelry in Honiara’s marketplace, through to Gaetene Austin, owner of the internationally recognized ‘Pure Fiji’ cosmetics line. Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific was led by Sonali Hedditch (IFC), and interviews and case study drafting was conducted by Tamara Haig (AusAID consultant), Sonali Hedditch, Sara King (IFC), Keirsten Pedersen (IFC Consultant) on the Samoa case studies, and Hamish Wyatt (World Bank intern) on the Solomon Islands case studies. The team received valuable guidance from Amanda Ellis, Gender Action Plan, World Bank Group, who has led case study publications in other regions. Some of the case studies featured in this publication were also used in the World Bank publication ‘Economic Opportunities for Women in East Asia Pacific’. Special thanks to all the women entrepreneurs who so freely gave of their time to share their stories, their successes and their frustrations, and their commitment to creating more opportunity and equality for other women entrepreneurs. This series of case studies was made possible by the generous assistance from the IFC Advisory Services (Pacific) donors, AusAID, NZAID, and JICA. Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific is complemented by sister publications, a series of six Gender and Investment Climate Reform Assessments, which review the investment climates of six Pacific nations: Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu – in each case with a gender lens. Each assessment analyzes gender-based investment climate barriers which constrain women’s economic empowerment, and identifies solutions to address them. i Contents Foreword i Introduction 1 Fiji: A Blossoming Business 4 Aileen Burness, South Sea Orchids Solomon Islands: A Market for Peace 7 Mary Bollen, Westside Women for Peace Timor-Leste: Feeding the Nation 10 Helen Monteiro, Pastaleria Malmequer Vanuatu: Nursing Traditions 13 Jenny Neil Jones, The Secret Garden Solomon Islands: Struggling to Secure Land 16 Julie Gegu-Haro, Premier Real Estate and Property Development Vavilyn Brook and Loretta Rembi, The Bilum Tree Tonga: Roaring Business in Remittances 18 Robina Nakao, Fund Management Ltd Lee Miller, Fab Rentals Fiji: Pure Gold 22 Gaetane Austin, Pure Fiji Vanuatu: Washing Women 25 Esline Turner, EzyWash Laundromat Nadine Haines, Air and Ice Solutions Solomon Islands: Hostess with the Mostest 29 Joyce Maetola, Solomon Host Fiji: Power Base 31 Dhan Gauri Patel, Universal Electronics, trading as Dick Smith Electronics Papua New Guinea: Suddenly CEO 34 Patricia A. Willie, Gaudi Kidu & Associates (GKA) Samoa: Designing Woman 36 Jackie Loheni, Mena Designs Tonga: Keeping Tonga Clean 38 ‘Ofa Tu’ikolovatu, Gio Recycling Cherie ‘Aho, Goshen Custom Broker Papua New Guinea: Construction Complications 41 Imelda Makap, Mount Hagen Airport Motel Christine Num, Manda Trading Timor-Leste: Micropower – Women Standing Tall 44 Isabel Cortilde, Gleno Trading Store Maria Salsinha, Gleno Restaurants Judith, Vegetable market stall Noemia De Jesus Babo, Emera District Manager Moris Rasik Helen Todd, Founder Moris Rasik Lola Dos Reis, Managing Director Moris Rasik Papua New Guinea: Flying High 48 Kim Arut, Kumul Lodge ii Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific Samoa: Salon Transformation 50 Sheree Stehlin, Salon Sheree Fiji: Baking Hot 52 Dr Mere Samisoni, Hot Bread Kitchen Vanuatu: A Lease on Opportunity 54 Merian Numake, Tanna Evergreen Resort & Tours Samoa: Educating the Nation 57 Merita Huch and Lemalu Nele Leiua, Samoan Women’s Time Magazine Fiji: Sailing Beauty 60 Debra Sadranu, Senikai Spas and the South Pacific Academy of Beauty Therapy Samoa: Extending Services 65 Margaret Malua, Small Business Enterprise Council Leilani Curry, Zodiac Cafe and Beer Garden, and Community Centre Sina Taule’al’ea, Sina’s Bakery Solomon Islands: Going for Growth 69 Noela and Angela Aniaelani and Bernadette Mola, Shell Jewelry market stall Ning Gabrino, Ning’s Bakery and Cafe Papua New Guinea: Mother’s Microfinance 72 Janet Sape, PNG City Mother’s Business Foundation Samoa: Traditional Success 74 Adimaimalaga Tafuna’i, Women in Business Development Inc Agasa Seumanutafa, Fine Mat Weaver Tonga: Changing Trends 78 Tanya Edwards, SDE Memorials Papua New Guinea: Diversifying Interests 80 Dora Fleming, Chatterbox Hairdressing and Complete Pest Control Solomon Islands: Sisters Doing It Together 82 Tele Bartlett, The Bulk Shop Marilyn Ronia, Frangipani Ice Timor-Leste: Building a Future 85 Maria Augusta, Leusari I, II, III Dulce Fernandes, Solomon Brothers Construction Company Carla Tilman, Arvec Agency Papua New Guinea: Desire to Design 89 Kathleen Ipi Johnson, After Dark Fashions Mary E. Saun, Maryelzs Orchid In-Bloom Conclusion 92 iii Foreword Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific showcases successful women entrepreneurs in the Pacific – from those working in the informal sector to the founders of large businesses. The publication explores how they have overcome obstacles to setting-up businesses and achieving economic growth. The 52 women, profiled in 30 case studies, represent countries from across the Pacific region where IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, works to improve the investment climate for the private sector. It is due to the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency (NZAID) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that this important work is achieved. By sharing their stories, their successes, and the hurdles they have overcome, these women show the way for other aspiring women entrepreneurs from around the Pacific to create their own brighter future. Studies show that when women are given economic opportunity, the benefits are large, particularly for their families, their communities, and ultimately also for national development. Opening economic options for women puts poverty reduction on a faster track. IFC facilitated Business Women’s Forums in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga in February and March 2009. We also visited Timor-Leste and Fiji to collect stories for this publication. The Business Women’s Forums were an opportunity for business women to network and discuss common concerns and interesting trends emerged during the discussions. In Papua New Guinea, many women raised the challenge of taking a contract dispute to court, which has often proved to be an immense burden. In the Solomon Islands, many of the women reported difficulty in accessing land or a commercial space from which to run their businesses. In Fiji, entrepreneurs have had to keep their business running despite several coups and natural disasters, and have had to struggle with employment laws. All of the women emphasized that opportunities for business women to meet, network, and share lessons were rare, but invaluable. The report will be launched at a conference hosted by IFC and the Australian aid agency AusAID in Vanuatu in March 2010. The aim of the conference is to bring business women from across the Pacific together to network, share lessons, and celebrate success. IFC hopes that by sharing the stories of these Pacific business women, and by strengthening their networks, other women – aspiring or practicing business leaders – will be inspired to fully realize their own potential and that of their businesses. There is no doubt that their success will in time translate into economic growth for Pacific island countries. Karin Finkelston Director, East Asia and the Pacific IFC iv Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific Introduction Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific showcases successful female entrepreneurs from seven Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, and Vanuatu. All entrepreneurs in each of these seven countries face considerable challenges, including: remoteness and isolation resulting in relatively high transport costs coupled with a small domestic market; exposure to events in global markets and trade regimes; susceptibility to natural disasters and/or environmental change; limited