Programme teaches how to communicate

 LACK of communication skills among young couples is a contributing factor to an increase in violence in marriages, a training programme has revealed.

Population Service International, a non-governmental organisation under its sexual and health reproductive programme, has been training women and married couples between 18 and 36-years-old to prevent violence. 

Programme coordinator Nana Yapea said the gender-based violence programme was progressing to its third year. 

The participants are from the three electorates in Port Moresby and Vabukori village. 

“We found that communicating was the biggest barrier in their relationship. 

“They don’t take time to talk to each other and find solutions to solve their problems but ended it by fighting,” Yapea said.

“To strengthen their marriage relationship and develop good communication skills, we trained them on gender, communication, sexual reproductive health including STIs and HIV and most importantly to understand each other well.

“We have trained women on smart economic as means of earning support from sales of food and items when under violence. 

“We assist them with mobile phones, with free credits after being trained for three days, and have Westpac officers come in during the training to open bank accounts.

“Getting them to understand themselves better and communicate well will help reduce gender-based violence in PNG,” Yapea said.

“The programme has stopped due to funding. Once we have the funding, we will do follow-up on those whom we have trained and see if they have put to practice what they’ve learnt,” Yapea said.