European Union commits to help addressing violence against women on National Women's Day
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L-R- Country Director for VSO Dawn Hoyle, EU Ambassador
to PNG HE Mr Martin Dihm and Ambassador of France
HE Mr Pascal Maubert conclude the Grant Signing
with a handshake. Photo credit: Delegation of the European Union to
Papua New
Guinea
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"Over the past two years the Union has already committed K 8 million (€ 3.41 million) towards fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Papua New Guinea. Today, we are pleased to announce a further commitment of PGK 800,000 (€278 000) for a new project. This will be implemented by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and its implementing partner, The Madang Country Women's Association (MCWA)," announced European Union Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Martin Dihm, at the grant signing which took place at the Office of the EU Delegation in Port Moresby.
The project is called 'Addressing Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea'. Its main objective is to ensure that victims of gender based violence, including family and sexual violence, will be able to find rapid and competent advice and assistance. A VSO volunteer will capacity build MCWA’s staff to deliver quality messages to the communities they work in, providing information on available services and alternative strategies to resolve conflict. Another VSO volunteer will support the Family Support Centers in Mendi and Madang in the development of data collection on survivors, incidents and perpetrators and use this information for planning, programming and advocacy.
" Today is the National Women's Day. It is a significant day in the history of women's movement in Papua New Guinea as we join the National Women's Council of Papua New Guinea in celebrating the 40th jubilee since its inception."
"It is only fitting then, that many things have happened in the meantime for the advancement of women in Papua New Guinea. In the political and other public spheres we are beginning to see the emergence of women taking leadership roles as never before. On the other hand, the fight to end gender based violence remains a challenge."
"It is important to recognize the need to strengthen capacity of on-the-ground services related to prevention and response of Gender Based Violence. The good experience of our implementing partners, VSO and MCWA, will help to make this project successful and bring about lasting change in attitudes."
VSO Country Director, Dawn Hoyle expressed appreciation for the funding support from the EU and spoke of the difference that VSO volunteers and local partners make in communities.
"I am confident that through working in partnership with MCWA, together, we can make a difference in the local communities and their attitudes towards gender based violence.
According to the World Bank, Country Gender Assessment Report of 2013, it is reported that, 'In Papua New Guinea majority of women will experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Papua New Guinea has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world for a country not at war. Studies have revealed an endemic of violence against women in the country- on an average two-thirds of wives have been beaten by their husbands with figures reaching as high as 100% in some regions.'
The European Union is confident that with the support of the two strong implementing partners, a series of community awareness and sensitizing workshops in the two provinces can help bringing about a lasting change in the attitude of men towards women, decrease in cases of GBV, improvement in referral pathways for justice as well as strengthened coordination among partners.
Service providers will also undergo capacity building training on how to respond to gender based violence issues in the two provinces.
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