The Women and Children Association representatives convened for their annual budget workshop in early February of this year, at the New Century Hotel in Kiunga. This workshop provides an opportunity for women leaders to plan and allocate funds for their respective regions. The workshop fosters inclusive decision-making and strategic financial planning, empowering women to lead community development initiatives. The meeting brought together executive members of the Women and Children Association and community representatives to deliberate on budget allocations for critical projects priorities in education, healthcare, livelihood programs, and capacity-building activities aimed at uplifting women and children in the CMCA communities.
Ms. Bala Tedumo ( Community Dev Officer) guiding the women leader through the budget allocation for 2025Significant changes to the 2025 Women’s Budget include the introduction of a new Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) component to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of funded projects. Priority areas for this year’s budget include Youth and Leaders Training, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), and Education. The women have committed to budgeting for water supply and solar lights in 18 villages over the next five years. In 2025, the project will be implemented in three villages: Erecta, Manda, and Owa. In addition to community projects, the women plan to support schools by building libraries and purchasing books for selected schools in the region. Ms. Charlotte Matthew emphasised that all projects are derived from the Women and Children (W&C) Action Plan and are being implemented to promote sustainable development initiatives. OTDF staff provided financial guidance and support to ensure a transparent and accountable budgeting process. Discussions highlighted the importance of strategic investment in economic empowerment programs, infrastructure development, and social welfare initiatives that align with the long-term goals of the Women’s Association.
Speaking during the workshop, Ms. Bala Tedumo, OTDF Community Development Officer, highlighted the importance of financial planning and inclusive decision-making in driving sustainable community development. “This meeting is a crucial step to ensuring that women and children in the CMCA communities receive the support and resources they need to thrive. OTDF remains committed to facilitating such meeting and ensuring that funds are utilised effectively for the benefit of all,” she said. The Women and Children Association expressed gratitude to OTDF for its continued support in facilitating the budget process, emphasising the positive impact of these financial plans on grassroots development. The meeting concluded with a consensus on key budget allocations and strategies for project implementation in 2025, reinforcing the Association’s commitment to empowering women and fostering sustainable development in Western Province.