Papua New Guinea Gender in Transport Profile 2026
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
GENDER IN TRANSPORT PROFILE
Supported by:
Background
This 2026 edition of the Gender in Transport Profiles revisits and updates the initial release, transforming it into a more interactive and data-rich resource. Developed in partnership with the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory, this edition offers a deeper perspective on how gender shapes transport systems across Asia-Pacific economies.
The profiles examine women's participation in the transport workforce, comparing representation across countries and relative to other economic sectors, while also assessing gender wage disparities and how these relate to national income levels. They further explore how road injuries and fatalities affect vulnerable groups differently, as well as how access to transport, mobility opportunities, and leadership roles in the sector vary by gender. Together, these dimensions provide a more comprehensive picture of structural gaps, safety risks, and areas of progress.
Released during Women's Month in March 2026, the profiles are designed for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. By consolidating official and vetted data into an accessible interactive format, they support evidence-based dialogue and the development of more inclusive, gender-responsive transport policies across Asia.
To complement the country profiles, ATO also presents three regional gender snapshots highlighting employment, wage patterns, and road safety trends across Asia-Pacific:
- Employment in Transport
- Gender Wage Patterns
- Road Safety and Vulnerability
Employment in the transport sector
Access to internet
Road safety
Global Gender Gap
Other indicators
Policy Landscape
Education curriculum sensitizing about transport subsector
| New jobs for all genders can be created due to increased EV adoption – e.g., charging station operators and EV service mechanics. Port Moresby shall aspire to become a hub for the provision of training related to jobs in the EV eco-system. Courses shall be designed to train EV drivers (new drivers), mechanics and charging station staff in partnership with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and private players. These courses shall be delivered through the Skill Centres set up by PNG Government in existing training centres like POMTECH that already have an automotive department. Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) principles must be adopted, and a gender perspective must be mainstreamed in all development processes of EV policies and processes. Electric mobility has gender equality implications, and the participation of all genders, as well as people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, in EV policy planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation must be facilitated and embraced. | EV Policy Draft for PNG | 2022 |
| Under the safe city program, Port Moresby has been trialing the ‘Meri Saif' women-only buses which proved to be successfully operational although not yet mainstreamed. | Voluntary National Review 2020 - PNG | 2020 |
| The Government will actively assist the development of PNG national firms and individuals to increase their participation in the transport sector. Establish a “Capacity Building Taskforce” under TSCMIC auspices to build capacity focussing on human resource development Carry out a status review of technical education, training and professional qualifications and supply/demand outlook Coordinate with wider Government development initiatives for the education and training sector Develop an education and training strategy and plan focused on the skills, qualifications and experience required by the sector | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
| The NTS will actively encourage women's participation throughout the transport sector through skills development programmes, targets and monitoring | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
Female economic empowerment and workforce participation
| New jobs for all genders can be created due to increased EV adoption – e.g., charging station operators and EV service mechanics. Port Moresby shall aspire to become a hub for the provision of training related to jobs in the EV eco-system. Courses shall be designed to train EV drivers (new drivers), mechanics and charging station staff in partnership with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and private players. These courses shall be delivered through the Skill Centres set up by PNG Government in existing training centres like POMTECH that already have an automotive department. Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) principles must be adopted, and a gender perspective must be mainstreamed in all development processes of EV policies and processes. Electric mobility has gender equality implications, and the participation of all genders, as well as people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, in EV policy planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation must be facilitated and embraced. | EV Policy Draft for PNG | 2022 |
| Under the safe city program, Port Moresby has been trialing the ‘Meri Saif' women-only buses which proved to be successfully operational although not yet mainstreamed. | Voluntary National Review 2020 - PNG | 2020 |
| The Government will actively assist the development of PNG national firms and individuals to increase their participation in the transport sector. Establish a “Capacity Building Taskforce” under TSCMIC auspices to build capacity focussing on human resource development Carry out a status review of technical education, training and professional qualifications and supply/demand outlook Coordinate with wider Government development initiatives for the education and training sector Develop an education and training strategy and plan focused on the skills, qualifications and experience required by the sector | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
| The NTS will actively encourage women's participation throughout the transport sector through skills development programmes, targets and monitoring | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
Gender inclusive infrastructure and service design
| New jobs for all genders can be created due to increased EV adoption – e.g., charging station operators and EV service mechanics. Port Moresby shall aspire to become a hub for the provision of training related to jobs in the EV eco-system. Courses shall be designed to train EV drivers (new drivers), mechanics and charging station staff in partnership with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and private players. These courses shall be delivered through the Skill Centres set up by PNG Government in existing training centres like POMTECH that already have an automotive department. Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) principles must be adopted, and a gender perspective must be mainstreamed in all development processes of EV policies and processes. Electric mobility has gender equality implications, and the participation of all genders, as well as people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, in EV policy planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation must be facilitated and embraced. | EV Policy Draft for PNG | 2022 |
| Under the safe city program, Port Moresby has been trialing the ‘Meri Saif' women-only buses which proved to be successfully operational although not yet mainstreamed. | Voluntary National Review 2020 - PNG | 2020 |
| The Government will actively assist the development of PNG national firms and individuals to increase their participation in the transport sector. Establish a “Capacity Building Taskforce” under TSCMIC auspices to build capacity focussing on human resource development Carry out a status review of technical education, training and professional qualifications and supply/demand outlook Coordinate with wider Government development initiatives for the education and training sector Develop an education and training strategy and plan focused on the skills, qualifications and experience required by the sector | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
| The NTS will actively encourage women's participation throughout the transport sector through skills development programmes, targets and monitoring | National Transport Strategy | 2013 |
References
ESMAP. (2024). Gender and Energy Indicators. https://energydata.info/dataset/esmap-gender-and-energy-indicators
IHME. (2026). GBD Compare. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/
ILO. (2026). Data tools to find and download labour statistics. ILOSTAT. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/
ITU. (2025). Individuals using the Internet [Dataset]. https://www.itu.int:443/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx
World Bank. (2025). GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) [Dataset]. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD
World Economic Forum. (2025). Gender Gap Report 2025. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2025/digest/