Ending the Violence
Australia's role in the fight for gender equality in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is Australia's closest neighbour...
...it's also one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman.
Image: Map of Oceania via Wikipedia Commons (license)
Helen's lip was bitten off my a male assailent in 2011 in a random, violent attack. Her husband heard her screams and helped her fight off her attacker. They got him to the police station, but he was released without charge a few days later. Photo: Vlad Sokhin/ChildFund Australia Source: Supplied
Women in Papua New Guinea experience some of the highest levels of sexual and physical abuse in the world. Historically entrenched perceptions of gender perpetuate the norm that women are inferior in society. Men exchange money for brides, violent gangs routinely commit random, horrific attacks, and in remote areas witchcraft and sorcery superstitions lead to the public torture and abuse of women.
The issue of gender equality in PNG is a major concern for countries in the region, including Australia. Many charity and political groups have started campaigns, fundraisers and projects to support women in the PNG, however most Australians remain unaware of the violence and discrimination that takes place just beyond our national border.
This project features just some of the amazing groups and indivudals working to make PNG a safer place for women and their children.
Warning: Graphic content
Family and sexual violence case management
Australian aid work in PNG
Brisbane youth working towards a safer PNG
Australian Government's plan for PNG
Gender violence a barrier for development?
Femili PNG is a local NGO based in Lae that runs a Case Management Centre to assist survivors of family and sexual violence to access the services they need.
The organisation works with women, men or children who are survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence and/or child abuse.
Miss Denga is the Operations Manager of Femili PNG and she talks about her experiences with victims and the broader issue of gender violence in PNG.
The Myer Foundation Melanesian Program is one of five research programs run by the Lowy Institute producing evidence-based research used to inform policy recommendations and potential regional solutions.
Director of the Melanesian Program, Ms Jenny Hayward-Jones says the poor treatment of women in a society can have direct impacts on development outcomes.
ChildFund Australia is one of many NGOs operating aid programs in Papua New Guinea.
The organisation works to support long-term community development and promote children's rights.
Gender violence in PNG has a significant impact on children, particularly young girls.
CEO of ChildFund Australia, Mr Nigel Spence talks about the challenges and potential solutions in the region.
As a regional leader the Australian Government plays a critical role in confronting gender inequality and violence against women in Papua New Guinea.
In December 2014 the Government announced a five-year plan to promote gender equality in PNG during a visit to the region by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Meri Toksave is a youth led charity that promotes initiatives to combat gender based violence in Papua New Guinea.
Founded by a group of Brisbane students in 2013, the charity aims to address violence against women in PNG through improving access to information regarding rights, services and support for survivors of gender-based violence.
Mr Tasman Bain is the Co-Founder and Deputy Director of Meri Toksave and he talks about the charity's work to date.
Image: By the roadside via photopin (license)
Image: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop signs a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the establishment of a Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, Port Moresby. 15 December 2014. via DFAT (license)
Join the conversation #stopviolencePNG
By Clare Armstrong
