Australia is supporting women and girls at high risk of violence in the Eastern Highlands province in PNG. The Australian Government, through the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program, is supporting the Kafe Urban Settlers Women's Association (KUSWA) to deliver services to reduce violence against women and girls and promote gender equality.
KUSWA was established in 2001 by eight women who had experienced violence and wanted to do something to help other survivors. The organisation is based in Banana Block, an urban settlement of Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province, and has expanded to include over 1,000 members from many different ethnic groups. KUSWA focuses on raising awareness of women's and children's rights, working with service providers to advocate on behalf of women and children survivors. KUSWA also contributes to improving women's access to justice by providing information sessions on court processes, including how to obtain a Protection Order in cases of family and sexual violence.
Following the most recent campaign in PNG to end violence against women (EVAW) in September 2013, there has been an increase in requests for community awareness sessions. KUSWA has conducted six awareness sessions on EVAW and related issues in selected communities and schools in the province, reaching over 3,951 individuals.
New partnerships have been established with local and district partners to ensure effective referral of survivors. There are now 20 volunteer focal points who support referrals in selected rural communities. All volunteers have completed gender sensitisation training, and receive ongoing support and mentoring from KUSWA.
One such focal point is Jack Kelly, a community leader from Fayantina in Henganofi District. Jack has integrated gender-based violence, human rights, and EVAW information into school literacy programs, reaching out to 500 members through various awareness programmes. He has been asked on several occasions to speak with faith-based organisations about women's human rights issues.
More information
- DFAT supports 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 25 November – 10 December 2015
- Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development