Strengthening Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in the BANGGA Papua Program

Summary of publication

BANGGA Papua (Building the Welfare of Papuan Generations and Families) is a universal child grant program, initiated by the Papua Provincial Government using its Special Autonomy (Otonomi Khusus, Otsus) Fund. Australia’s KOMPAK and MAHKOTA development assistance programs supported the development and implementation of the program.

The program increases the nutritional intake of Indigenous Papuan children, stimulates economic activity in villages and across districts and reduces poverty in target areas. Indigenous women and children are targeted as the main beneficiaries.

The report looks at the way BANGGA Papua applies gender equality and social inclusion principles. It finds that the program design considers these principles, and that its objectives include gender equality and social inclusion. It also finds the making cash payments to women increases their control over spending and leads to improved health and nutrition for children. However, it also identified several risks that needed to be managed, including access to payments (distance between recipients and pay points, and the cost to get there) and a lack of childcare preventing women gaining all the intended benefits of the program.

The report is an important evidence base for both Papua Provincial Government and development partners to better understand the impact of the program, and to adjust the way the program is managed to ensure accessibility and maximise development impact.