Anne-Shirley Korave, founder of Queenpads and a passionate advocate for women’s health, has been named the overall winner of the prestigious Westpac Outstanding Women Award (WOWA), receiving a total grant of K10,000 (approximately A$4,100 or US$2,650). The award comprises K5,000 for winning the Sustainability category and a further K5,000 as the Overall Winner, in recognition of her groundbreaking work improving menstrual health access across Papua New Guinea.
At a celebration ceremony held at Westpac’s head office at Harbourside West, Korave was presented with a ceremonial cheque acknowledging her transformative impact on women’s health in some of the country’s most remote communities.
Since launching Queenpads in 2018, Korave has improved women’s health outcomes by providing eco-friendly, reusable sanitary pads to women and girls who previously had no access to menstrual hygiene products. Her initiative has reached isolated villages near the Frieda mine and extended across mountains, seas and islands, impacting tens of thousands of women and girls in schools, communities, safe houses, health centres, sports clubs, women’s groups and workplaces.
A business accountancy graduate from the University of Papua New Guinea, Korave’s journey—from BDO Accountants to founding ASK Consultants and ultimately establishing Queenpads—exemplifies innovation driven by compassion. Her initiative blends education, dignity and sustainability, while challenging cultural taboos and improving health outcomes for some of the country’s most vulnerable women.
“This award carries and truly embodies the collective efforts, dedication and commitment of my team—past and present—who believed in the mission since 2018 to serve women and young girls in PNG,” Korave said. “I want to thank Westpac for this incredible recognition, and I am pleased to confirm that this grant will go directly toward supporting Queenpads’ operations to reach even more women and girls in communities.”
Korave underscored the urgency of her cause: “Menstruation is a normal fact of life, a part of the menstrual cycle that supports the reproductive system—the source of life. Yet women’s menstrual needs are unmet, and their menstrual health is not recognised as a priority. It is everyone’s business!”
Westpac Pacific Managing Director Emma Low praised Korave’s contribution, adding that “Anne-Shirley represents the very best of Papua New Guinea’s entrepreneurial spirit."
"Her work with Queenpads has transformed lives across our nation, bringing dignity, health and hope to women and girls in our most remote communities. The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards exist to celebrate exactly this kind of visionary leadership that creates lasting, meaningful change," Low added.
For his part, Westpac Chief Executive Andrew Carins emphasised the award’s broader impact: “The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards have become the country’s premier platform recognising women making extraordinary contributions to their communities. Anne-Shirley’s story is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets compassion. Her work addressing menstrual health challenges shows how one person’s vision can create ripple effects that transform entire communities.
“Her approach addresses not just the practical need for sanitary products but also the cultural and educational barriers that prevent women from managing their menstrual health with dignity," Carins said.
Korave’s commitment to serving women most at risk has created measurable change. Her work has helped schoolgirls attend classes during menstruation without fear of embarrassment, and introduced menstrual health education to women in rural areas for the first time.
She dedicated her award to “all the women who have it tough during their special days and those who are extending menstrual care,” reaffirming her mission to create a #PeriodFriendlyPNG.
The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards, launched in 2002, are Papua New Guinea’s leading programme recognising women’s achievements and leadership. Relaunched in 2025 with a refreshed vision, the awards feature seven categories: Entrepreneur, Not-for-Profit, Private Sector, Public Sector, Sports and Arts, Sustainability, and Young Achiever, with one overall winner.
These categories reflect the country’s evolving leadership landscape and continue to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership across Papua New Guinea.
