Gender Violence a Barrier for Development?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violence against women is a tragic and pervasive problem in Papua New Guinea due to many entrenched political and social perceptions of gender status.

 

As Australia’s closest neighbour there are many groups working to assist and support women in the region, but also look at addressing the root causes and flow-on effects of the problem.

 

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 said that the poor treatment of women in a society can have direct impacts on development outcomes.

 

“In PNG [gender violence] inhibits development progress, it prohibits women from carrying out their daily roles such as going to the markets in rural areas to sell their goods to fund their children’s education and bring up their family,” said Ms Hayward-Jones.

 

Women are extremely marginalised in PNG, the rates of violence they suffer are among the highest in the world with shocking rates and incidences of domestic violence, generalised gender violence and also violence against children.

 

“There are so many obstacles for ordinary women, and even educated, elite women in PNG,” she said.

 

In addition to research, the program holds events that focus on and promote the views of influential thinkers and leaders throughout the region in an effort to encourage debate in Australia about our policy approach to Melanesian countries and the wider Pacific region.

 

Ms Hayward-Jones said Australia should be looking to assist PNG, not only because it’s our closest neighbour, but also because with a rapidly growing population it’s a country we can’t afford to ignore from both an economic and humanitarian perspective.

 

“It’s still a country that is grappling with very difficult development challenges.

 

“It’s the fastest growing economy in the world this year but it’s also a country that still has to meet any of the United Nation’s Development Goals for the Melanesian region and 2015 is the end date for the attainment of those goals,” she said.

 

PNG receives Overseas Development Aid (ODA) from Australia, with a portion of that money tailored towards programs assisting women in the region.

 

Ms Hayward-Jones said she thinks it is incumbent on any donor to focus on development barriers and violence against women is one of those.

 

“Of course from a humanitarian perspective it is a major problem and so it demands attention and a response from PNG’s partners and neighbours.

 

“That’s not to excuse Australia’s own problems with violence against women, but there are things that we can do as a donor and certainly the effort behind the Pacific Women’s Development is about trying to give women more opportunities, give women more of a voice and try and reduce the barriers these women face, particularly in Melanesia where the problem’s seem to be greatest,” she said.

 

Ms Hayward-Jones said she hopes research that the Lowy Institute has published in the last few years has served to enlighten Australians although she believes there is still a low level of awareness.

 

“I would hazard a guess to say that the severity of the problem is not well known, although that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s not a lack of sympathy there.

 

Increasing awareness about the issues women face in PNG will hopefully lead to more support and attention to the region.