Bilum Meri, Florence Kamel has expressed the need for government support for women in the bilum business in areas of training and involvement in trade fairs.

Recently speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG on the Yu Stori program, Kamel stressed that many women possess the skill of weaving bilums but do not have the knowledge about the international markets.

“We have to train women – especially mothers – to understand what the international market is and how the international market works.”

She stated that government financial support would be a great contribution in improving the livelihood of women in bilum trade as it can help to foster connections.

“The more exposure we get, the more weavers we want – and in order to train them, we need to reach out to rural and remote areas and other weaving communities across the country.”

Additionally, government can assist women in business by sending them to international trade fairs.

Speaking from experience, Kamel stated that she’s seen individuals from the public sector attend these fairs but practically, the government needs to send people who are actually involved in SMEs.

“The administration can send their staff there but at the same time, you need to send people that are actually doing business around that sector.”

“They need to network because they are on the ground whereas others are in the office.”

Kamel stressed that this causes a hindrance in women in business because the knowledge most government entities gain from these international fairs do not make it to the grassroots.

“A lot of weavers do not have the skills to go work in formal employment – our lives are built through income earned from bilum weaving.”