New Basketball Program Helping Combat Gender Based Violence in PNG

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea - The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG)
successfully rolled out its new ‘Mum’s A Hero’ program this week in Kaugere.
The innovative 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, 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, mum’s 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.”