The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards (shortened to WOW Award) recognizes exceptional professional work of women in Papua New Guinea. Since its inception in 2002, when it was called the Westpac Women in Business Award, the Award has recognized the achievements of individual women in multiple categories. Each category awardee then becomes a finalist for the overall WOW Award. In the face of acknowledged gender inequity in the country, the WOW Awards call attention to the crucial and highly skilled work done by women across a number of sectors. The winner of the WOW Award receives a grant to pursue a formal education, professional mentoring, opportunities for professional learning and networking at an Australian Executive Women's Leadership symposium, and a cash prize. The WOW Awards support the belief that investment in women leads to stronger economic outcomes for a nation as a whole, and strives to provide role models for the girls and women of the country.
In 2025, after a five-year hiatus, Westpac Papua New Guinea relaunched its Westpac Outstanding Women Awards with a renewed strategy aimed at promoting gender equality and leadership development. The renewed initiative reflects Westpac's ongoing commitment to supporting women in business, community leadership, and professional sectors across Papua New Guinea. The award seeks to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions by women who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and impact in their respective fields.
Nominations for the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards opens in March.
The number of categories in which women are recognized has expanded over the years:
Westpac Papua New Guinea, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation of Australia, is the primary sponsor and organizer of the award.
Other companies have joined in sponsoring one or more awards over the years. Typically, these companies contribute cash to sponsor a prize for the finalist in each category, which supports those finalists in continuing their work.
The WOW Awards extend a call for nominations each year, and filed an average of 70-80 nominations annually. Nominations for the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards opens in March. All nominations are to be submitted online via the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards webpage.
In 2016, there were over 100 nominations. From among these nominations, a judging panel composed of representatives from Westpac, high-level sponsors, and the community picks a first round of finalists. Judges interview each finalist to assess their: capacity to lead, influence, and inspire others in pursuit of challenging goals; record of operating with integrity and good governance; achievement in appropriate areas, such as school, sports, or professional activities; and personal and professional values. Ultimately, the panel selects one finalist per category, and from among these nominees select the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman Awardee.
30. Nominations Open for the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards - Post Courier