By DALCY LULUA
GENDER Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) specialist Stella Ipang has been recognised for her outstanding leadership in advancing inclusive healthcare, receiving the Private Sector Award and the coveted 2026 Westpac Outstanding Woman of the Year title at the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards in Port Moresby.
Ms Ipang serves as the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Specialist with the Accelerated Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening Program, Phase 2 (AIHSS2), an initiative supported by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The program partners with Papua New Guinea’s national and provincial health authorities to strengthen immunisation systems and improve access to life-saving vaccines across the country.
The awards recognise Ms Ipang’s commitment to embedding gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion into Papua New Guinea’s health and immunisation systems. Her work has helped improve access to immunisation services for children and communities facing geographical, social and institutional barriers.
Among her key contributions are the development of the EmpowerMe Puzzle, a practical tool that helps build inclusion capabilities, and locally tailored GEDSI Scorecards, which enable Provincial Health Authorities to assess, monitor and strengthen the integration of inclusion principles into health systems and services.
Accepting the awards, Ms Ipang highlighted the vital contribution of women in the private sector.
“Women in the private sector play major roles in making sure we deliver outcomes and results,” she said.
“Together, we are ensuring that vital immunisation services remain inclusive and accessible to all. This is the greatest and best hour of my life.”
Ms Ipang dedicated her awards to women working behind the scenes, as well as her mother, children and her late father. She also acknowledged her colleagues, the National Department of Health, the Department of Personnel Management and Provincial Health Authorities for their shared commitment to advancing health equity across Papua New Guinea.
“Imagine how PNG will look if we all hold hands and create safe spaces for everyone,” she said.
The annual Westpac Outstanding Women Awards celebrate Papua New Guinean women whose leadership, innovation and dedication are creating meaningful change across industries and communities.
Ms Ipang’s recognition highlights the value of investing in local expertise and leadership to deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions. Australia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local leaders and changemakers like Ms Ipang as they continue to strengthen health systems and promote inclusive development across Papua New Guinea.