Policy to combat GBV set

The National Main Stories

REPRESENTATIVES from the United Nations congratulated the Government of Papua New Guinea for launching the country’s first national strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) in Port Moresby on Friday.
The national strategy to prevent and respond (NSPR) to GBV 2016-2025, provides a roadmap to guide an inclusive government-led approach in implementing all legislations, policies and programmes.
The strategy is the result of almost three years of work by the Department of Community Development and Religion, Office of the Development of Women, the National Capital District and the United National Development Programme (UNDP).
“Today is a historic day on which we can celebrate the commitment of the Government and its partners and the collective effort of many people to progress gender equality and women’s empowerment in PNG,” UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative, Roy Trivedy said.
“This strategy will ensure women and children and other vulnerable people start living a life free of violence and abuse, a life of dignity and respect. It sets the stage for real change on an issue that affects all citizens of Papua New Guinea.”
The UN has been a partner in the development of the strategy.
All the 14 UN agencies on the ground are working on gender equality, particularly UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP and Unicef.
UN Women country representative Dr Jeffrey Buchanan said implementation was the key to make the strategy work.
“There needs to be an allocation of appropriate resources and effective ownership and coordination between partners and service providers in the gender-based violence response.
The NSPR to GBV 2016-2025 outlines how the Government will strengthen national coordination, implementation and monitoring in relation to GBV.
It will:

  • ensure that by 2025 the Government of PNG has a functioning GBV communication and reporting structure supporting the achievement of zero tolerance towards GBV, aligned with the PNG development plans, Vision 2050 and the sustainable development goals.
  • To standardise and institutionalise data collection, and facilitate ongoing in-depth research to support evidence-based planning, budgeting and programming to end gender-based violence
  •  To ensure quality, continuity and sustainability of coordinated responses, referrals and service delivery for survivors of gender-based violence, and
  • To scale-up, decentralise, and standardise inclusive, quality initiatives and messaging for prevention of gender-based violence at all levels and in all sectors of society.