Gender-based violence (GBV)

Under Josephine's leadership, the Safe House serves as a sanctuary for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and sorcery-related attacks, embodying hope and resilience.

Sir Mahesh Patel, a prominent figure in the Foundation, praised Josephine's commitment, acknowledging her as the driving force behind the initiative. Their collaboration traces back to 2016 when Josephine received the Pride of PNG Award, honouring her contributions to society.

In a recent three-day Partner Learning Forum organized by Australia's Building Community Engagement in Papua New Guinea (BCEP) program, churches and civil society organizations from Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Jiwaka, and Southern Highlands Province collaborated to address these pressing issues.

The forum, themed 'Collaborating to tackle SARV and GBV,' facilitated discussions among participants, including government partners.

These were sentiments shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister for the Ministry of Labour and Immigration, John Rosso at the recent announcement of the ratification of the International Convention on Eliminating Violence and Harassment at the Workplace – The Violence and Harassment Convention – 2019 (No.190).

Rosso added, “The ugly reality before us all is the fact that violence and harassment is also becoming endemic in many workplaces, with victims in sectors ranging from the most powerful to the most marginalized.”

Speaking at the second meeting of the National Gender-based Violence (GBV) Advisory Committee on December 14^th, Ubase, who is also the chair of the committee, outlined that the Department was allocated K7.93 million.

“For the first time, we received a substantial budget from the Government to address GBV,” he stated.

“We have tried to use that money effectively. Most notably, we awarded grants to 13 NGOs, in partnership with UNDP, from provinces across Papua New Guinea to support their efforts.

Chargé d'Affaires Joe Zadrozny met with PNG officials today, voicing concerns by the U.S. embassy regarding alarming articles of SARV in the media in NCD, and issued a statement noting that SARV was not limited to one region of PNG but is an issue that effects all Papua New Guineans.

He stated that SARV and GBV are the greatest barriers to PNG’s stability and progress, in order for PNG to maintain a healthy democracy and for communities to increase their income levels, violence against women must stop.

The support to stop violence against women and children, raises awareness on domestic and gender based violence against women and children.

In line with this, OFP is planning to host a women’s championship to raise awareness on domestic and gender based violence against women and children next year to drive the message of stopping violence against women.

The budgets will support their efforts against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Papua New Guinea.

The workshop was organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Papua New Guinea, as part of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative for Ending Violence Against Women and Children.

DfCDR is responsible for leading the drive to implement the National GBV Strategy 2016-2025.

In the workshop, Acting Secretary, Jerry Ubase, made it clear that this is a priority for the Department to work against GBV.

Today saw a continued collaboration to develop provincial budgets to fund anti-violence and support measures.

A three day workshop was held by UNDP and the department, to strengthen provincial planning and budget. This ensures that the resources issued by the provincial authorities go towards ending violence against women and children.

The rise in GBV cases in Papua New Guinea has painted a disturbing image of the country making it the least safe place for women and children to live in.

The turn-out for this public hearing brought key figures from different departments that placed importance in voicing the critical issues related to addressing GBV.

For two days, the hearings will discuss critical issues related to addressing GBV, including:

Chief superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, confirmed the incident in a media briefing today.

The domestic altercation occurred on Saturday, February 6^th.

Lae command’s chief superintendent, Kunyanban, described the incident as ‘unfortunate’, saying the husband has been apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Division.

“The suspect is now behind bars. He’s being interrogated and will be formally charged by our CID members,” he stated.

Kunyanban said the victim was physically assaulted.