Responding to paternalistic protection: Gender-smart safety for women working in remote locations in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Abstract The practice of a ‘gender-smart safety’ is an important part of recognizing and responding to specific risks faced by women in workplaces. This is a relatively new concept within the discourse of workplace safety, and one that is challenging traditional views about what safety is, how it should be managed and who should be included in this management. This article explores the findings of a research project that looks at the safety of women who have experience of working in remote locations in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data, it highlights some of the gaps that exist in employers’ responses to the risks faced by female employees. It identifies what businesses are doing to support women’s safety and how the careers of women have been affected by workplace safety risks (perceived and real). It discusses how a desire to protect women from risks and the call for ‘real men’ to support women are both approaches that fail to challenge gender norms, especially the lower social status of women. This research has helped inform new programming for the Business Coalition for Women in PNG. It has resulted in the development of a ‘Gender Smart Safety’ training programme that is now being offered to businesses to promote greater attention to the safety needs of their female employees.