PNG Capital to Host Three-Night Market and Unity Walk for International Women’s Day

Papua New Guinea’s capital will mark International Women’s Day with a three-night market and a unity walk, according to Powes Parkop. The announcement was made during a press conference at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.

Governor Parkop said the National Capital District Commission has organised activities focused on women’s economic empowerment in line with this year’s global theme, “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”

 PNG Capital to Host Three-Night Market and Unity Walk for International Women’s Day/File Photo

The three-night market, organised by National Capital District Commission, will run from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the stadium car park. The event is expected to give women entrepreneurs and small-scale traders an inclusive space to display and sell their products.

“We know that women constitute the largest percentage of traders in our markets, and we want to provide innovative avenues for them to sell their products and for the public to get involved in celebrating International Women’s Day,” Mr Parkop said.

He revealed that the city will soon launch a women’s economic empowerment strategy aimed at supporting market vendors and small business operators. He urged residents to attend the market with their families and encouraged women business owners to take advantage of the free space provided.

On Sunday, March 8, a unity walk will begin at 5.30am from Ela Beach to Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, symbolising solidarity and collective commitment to gender equality.

Active City Development Program Manager Ezra Adino said the public should participate in all three days of activities, not just the walk. “It’s very important that we also turn up on Friday and Saturday, not just on Sunday for the walk. So we encourage everyone out there to turn up in big numbers on these three days and to support our women and to make them feel empowered,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wilma Kosi, National Women’s Representative of the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress, said unions and affiliates will support the celebrations and join Sunday’s walk. “We encourage residents of our national capital to join us for this walk to celebrate the contribution of all women in Papua New Guinea and globally, both in society and in the economy,” Kosi said.