In Papua New Guinea women are attacked and abused every single day, often by their partners. The weapons are words, fists, stones, bush knives – and rape. It’s so ingrained in society that many don’t even see it as violence.
Recent reports reveal:
- 55% of Papua New Guinean women have been raped
- Nearly half of the victims who report rape are under the age of 15
- 97% of Papua New Guinean women in the highland regions have been beaten by their husbands
- Violence isn’t only perpetrated with fists or words; it’s often with stones and bush knives – there are many survivors with permanent disabilities.
Sources: Constitutional Law Reform Committee of Papua New Guinea (pdf), Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
Working for change
VSO has worked in Papua New Guinea since 1960. We are working to address violence against women by:
- Supporting the provision of essential services including medical first aid, emergency contraception and medicine to prevent sexually transmitted diseases as well as important psychological first aid
- Training health staff so survivors can receive emergency medical care whenever they come to hospital – day or night.
- Expanding educational programmes that work to change attitudes towards gender-based violence as well as informing women of the help that is available to them.
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