The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) successfully rolled out its new ‘Mum’s A Hero’ program this week in Kaugere, Port Moresby.
The program, which forms part of the National Federation’s Hoops for Health (H4H) community engagement strategy, is designed to achieve the dual objectives of addressing gender-based violence and promoting health and well-being through exercise.
Along with the facilitation of basketball-based physical activity sessions, Mum’s A Hero also sees workshops delivered on gender empowerment and education on the resources available to support women and their families.
The project has been established under a joint-partnership, with key stakeholders being BFPNG, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), Papua New Guinea Australian Policing Partnership (PNGAPP) and ChildFund Papua New Guinea 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain.
BFPNG administration officer and coordinator of Mum’s A Hero, Delisha Liri, said the program was an interactive way of combating gender-based violence.
“We recognize GBV is a major issue in our communities and we want to make sure we are doing our part to help address it.
“Many women, mums especially, don’t know what services are available to assist them and through this program we can open the conversation, providing education regarding rights and creating awareness of services available, while also promoting the health benefits of physical activity by encouraging the participation of women in sport.
“The Child Fund Papua New Guinea 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain is free and we want people to know it’s out there.
“We’re also very thankful that we have the support of the RPNGC and PNG-APP who are assisting BFPNG with program delivery,” said Liri.
Mum’s A Hero will be delivered next at the Murray Barracks Army Officers Wives on September 6, before two more sessions will be conducted at Hohola #1 & #2 on September 13 and Burns Peak #1, #2 & #3 on September 20. The sessions will commence at 9:30am.