Factory Manager Jacobeth Misiel, in safety clothing, operates a machine on site at Rhodes PNG Ltd.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, December 4, 2024 — Prefabricated building and engineering company, Rhodes PNG Ltd. is the first construction and engineering company in the world to be recertified for a third time with EDGE (Equity, Diversity and Gender Equality), the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.
With technical assistance and advice from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Rhodes has maintained the EDGE standards through its actions and measurable impact on organizational culture, including an increase in the representation of women in management and non-traditional roles; more inclusive recruitment, promotion, and training opportunities; and positive employee sentiment.
"The construction industry has traditionally been challenging for women to gain a foothold in, but Rhodes PNG is committed to addressing this by creating equitable and inclusive workplaces that encourage inclusion and advancement,” said Kulu Velena, Director, Rhodes PNG. “This certification reflects our journey towards providing better opportunities for both women and men in trades, and we’re proud to receive it.”
Kulu Velena, first female Director of Rhodes PNG
Rhodes PNG is currently the only construction and engineering firm globally to be awarded the EDGE Certification. The company’s certification achievement started in 2019 and was later recognized by EDGE as maintaining this important standard in 2023 following the establishment of a school and childcare facility in Tuhava. Now fully operational, the Tuhava International Primary School educates the children of Rhodes employees, alongside children from local businesses and the community.
“We hope other companies in PNG will mirror Rhodes’ resolve to improve women’s representation in leadership and non-traditional roles,” said Khwima Nthara, World Bank Group Country Manager for Papua New Guinea. “A focus on equitable and effective policies can bring business benefits in areas including talent acquisition and retention, lowering absenteeism and staff turnover, boosting productivity, increasing employee satisfaction, and conferring status as an employer of choice.”
Rhodes is a participant in IFC’s Meri Save Trades ("Women Know Trades") program, supporting Papua New Guinean women to enter and excel in non-traditional roles and sectors where they have been historically underrepresented and addressing barriers to women’s recruitment, promotion, and retention. The Australian and New Zealand Governments support this initiative, which directly strengthens women’s equal participation in Papua New Guinea.
“We congratulate Rhodes on its groundbreaking achievement,” said Diane Barclay, Minister-Counsellor at the Australian High Commission. “Helping women access more and better jobs will increase business profitability and drive economic growth in Papua New Guinea. This milestone is an important step in implementing our commitment to promote gender equality in companies. Rhodes PNG ltd. deserves to be recognised for its commitment to creating a workplace that will enhance and promote the recruitment and retention of women employees.”
Rhodes PNG Ltd’s Terry Welat (front, middle) and David Cusick (front, right) with members of the HR team at Tuhava
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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About Rhodes PNG Ltd.
Rhodes PNG Ltd. is international prefabricated buildings and materials company, with operations throughout PNG, Australia, USA and the Pacific. Rhodes delivers all sorts of buildings (warehouses, camps, sheds, training centers, hospitals, schools, staff housing) to all kinds of clients (extractives, government agencies, aid bodies, communities, corporates, families). Experts in prefabricated steel buildings and solid construction systems, Rhodes offers full turn-key services and is a leader in technology-driven sustainability and innovation.
About EDGE Certification
EDGE (Equity, Diversity and Gender Equality) is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. EDGE Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analyzed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees’ experiences of career development opportunities in the current workplace are accounted for. Depending on the specific results of each organization, an action plan is formulated, and firm commitments towards its implementation.
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