Cost of violence highlighted

A NEW study has shown that family and sexual violence is costing employers in Papua New Guinea almost 10 days of work per employee each year, equating to a financial impact of K7.3 million for participating companies.
The research, revealed in the report workplace responses to family and sexual violence in PNG: measuring the business case, underscores the vital role employers play in supporting staff impacted by family and sexual violence.
The report by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Business Coalition for Women, showed the cost of family and sexual violence to businesses was significantly reduced when businesses were more gender equal and provided support for affected employees.
“This study underscores that businesses that are more gender equal, and which provide workplace support for those impacted by family and sexual violence, also see more positive results,” International Finance Corporation vice-president for Asia and Pacific Alfonso Garcia Mora said.
“Put simply, this also means less acceptance of family and sexual violence, greater recognition of the impact of this violence on staff, which leads to more reporting of cases, as well as ultimately fewer days lost to the impacts of family and sexual violence.”
Business Coalition for Women executive director Evonne Kennedy said they partnered with International Finance Corporation on the research as it directly contributed to their core aim of helping the private sector recruit, retain and promote women. “We are working with many major companies in Papua New Guinea to address violence, promote women’s leadership and implement human resources policies and processes,” Kennedy said.
“With this research we want to encourage more businesses to introduce workplace support for staff affected by family and sexual violence.”