Family and sexual violence in PNG

We bring highly skilled volunteers from around the world to address gender inequality in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

We support women and children who are at risk of, or subject to gender discrimination and violence, developing and strengthening referral pathways between service providers to improve care and treatment.

Our volunteers work with local organisations to promote rights and empowerment of women in local decision and policy making.

VSO is responding to the major public health issue of gender discrimination and violence. PNG is a country where traditions and cultural practices maintain and reinforce aggressive and dominant ideas of masculinity.

Social worker Robin Borausiki with her colleague Catherine Bedford at Modilon Hospital in Madang, Papua New Guinea. VSO volunteer Catherine Bedford is a Family and Sexual Violence Mental Health Nurse.

What are our volunteers doing?

psychiatric nurse volunteers are working at the Provincial hospitals in Madang and Mendi
a volunteer with skills in community mobilisation is supporting local partner organisations to address and prevent violence and abuse
data management experts are developing the systems and tools for better management, analysis and use of data
volunteers are supporting the UNDP to strengthen and coordinate the response to gender violence and child abuse in 4 Provinces: Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, Morobe and Milne Bay
an organizational development expert is enabling PNG’s national women’s machineries – government and non-government – to increase the impact and reach of their advocacy work