Women PNG are responsible for 70 to 80% of the manual work associated with food production, preparation and handling but they are rarely acknowledged or compensated financially for this pivotal role.

In the highlands, women work in physically demanding conditions, farming on steep hillsides and in isolated areas.

To sell their produce, they often walk long distances up steep inclines to roadside collection points, carrying heavy produce and often a child on their back.

This is life for many women in PNG's rural areas, as described by Alice, one of 5 women who secured employment at Ironbark Citrus in Queensland through the SWP in 2018.

“In PNG, every day women wake up at 5am. We prepare breakfast and work in the garden. We dig trenches, level the land, fetch water and cook for the family,” Alice said. 

“It is continuous – every day – but we get no money for this. We do it free for our family.

“We look after the kids, wash the kids, carry them on our head along with a heavy bag of vegetables – we work like bulldozers!”

Paying for school fees and English lessons

When the women arrived in Australia in April 2018, 4 of the group of 5 had never been on a plane, let alone travelled overseas before. 

While in Australia, the women discovered eBay and purchased items online that were delivered to them at Mundubbera Caravan Park. 

“I bought solar panels for my house and I also bought a laptop for my kids, and a tablet," Alice said.

"Then I downloaded all of the English grammar programs for my kids to watch and learn at home. It’s amazing!”

The women have now completed 2 seasons working at Mundubbera, returning to PNG between seasons.

In addition to paying for school fees, each of the women has their own goal to start a small business or improve their own farm back home.