National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat Papua New Guinea

06/05/2026

📰APRIL HIGHLIGHTS: NGBVS REPORTS TO PPC GEWE ON GBV RESPONSE

Last month, on the 16th of April 2026, the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), under the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), had the honour of briefing the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (PPC GEWE) on progress made and emerging priorities in Papua New Guinea’s national response to gender-based violence.

The high‑level meeting, convened by the PPC GEWE, followed the launch of the Revised National Gender-Based Violence Strategy 2026–2035 and reaffirmed Parliament’s important leadership role in ensuring accountability, oversight, and sustained national action.

The briefing was presented by the Director of NGBVS, Ms Diane Kambanei, who outlined the Revised GBV Strategy and presented her implementation plan for the first year of the Strategy, highlighting priority actions, sequencing, coordination arrangements, and immediate focus areas for effective roll‑out. The presentation emphasised the Government’s strengthened, coordinated, and multi‑sectoral approach to prevention and response, and the importance of aligning planning, resourcing, and accountability across sectors to deliver early and visible impact.

Reports from fellow agencies under DfCDR, the Office for the Development of Women (ODW), and the National Council of Women (NCW), complemented the session, covering the GEWE Policy and ongoing institutional reforms.

The engagement featured informative discussion, with Committee Members providing feedback aimed at strengthening coordination, accountability, and results across the sector.

Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), through NGBVS, acknowledges the leadership of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (PPC GEWE), chaired by Hon. Powes Parkop, MP, Governor of the National Capital District, and extends appreciation to all Members of the Committee for their continued commitment and parliamentary oversight.

24/04/2026

✨ UPDATED GBV STRATEGY 2026-2035 AVAILABLE ✨

An updated version of the GBV Strategy is now available, featuring a refreshed look and selected content updates to strengthen clarity, alignment, and impact.

If you have not yet accessed the updated Strategy, please click the link below to view and download it:

👉 https://lnkd.in/ggrNw-5h

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This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

17/04/2026

FIRST NATIONAL GBV COORDINATION MEETING HELD FOLLOWING GBV STRATEGY LAUNCH

The Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), through the National Gender‑Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), convened the first national GBV coordination meeting of 2026, bringing together government, state‑owned enterprises, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to align priorities under the National GBV Strategy 2026–2035.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr Warren Marape, Deputy Secretary, DfCDR, on behalf of Secretary Jerry Ubase, and Mr Michael Kumung, Deputy Secretary (Policy), Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), reflecting strong inter-agency leadership following the launch of the National GBV Strategy 2026–2035.

🔗 Read the full media release and meeting highlights here:

👉 https://lnkd.in/gvDHqvvT

15/04/2026

01/04/2026

In commemoration of Easter this week, we share our Easter message below.

31/03/2026

🤝 Partnership in Action to Strengthen PNG’s GBV Response

Yesterday, 30th March 2026, the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR) through the National Gender‑Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), together with the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) and SP Brewery, convened the first GBV Curriculum Stakeholder Validation Workshop, hosted by SILAG at the SILAG Main Library.

The workshop marks a key milestone under the tripartite partnership, which brings together national coordination and leadership, institutional training expertise, and private‑sector funding support to develop a nationally aligned GBV Curriculum supporting the revised National GBV Strategy 2026–2035.

👥 15 participants from eight partner organisations and stakeholder agencies reviewed the draft GBV modules and provided practical feedback to improve quality, relevance, and real‑world application ahead of piloting.

This validation process is a direct outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2025, which formalised the partnership to design and deliver structured GBV training programs. Through this collaboration, SP Brewery has provided funding and support to strengthen national capacity for GBV prevention and response.

🙏 We extend our thanks to SP Brewery for its contribution and continued commitment as a partner in the fight against Gender‑Based Violence in Papua New Guinea.

🔗 Together we can transform Papua New Guinea into a nation free from Gender‑Based Violence.

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27/03/2026

📅 | Building on Last Year’s Commitment

As weeklong celebration of National Women's Day comes to a close and March-Women and Girls Month also draws to an end, we reflect on the leadership, advocacy, and momentum that continue to shape the national response to gender‑based violence.

In March 2025, gender‑based violence (GBV) was brought to the forefront of national leadership, with GBV taking centre stage in Parliament ahead of National Women’s Day. Led by the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, government agencies, civil society, and development partners reaffirmed that violence against women and girls is a national crisis requiring decisive action.

One year on, the National GBV Strategy 2026–2035 builds on that commitment — turning strong leadership and pledges into coordinated, long‑term action to protect rights, strengthen accountability, and ensure safety for women and girls across Papua New Guinea.

▶️ Watch the video below of Prime Minister Hon. James Marape’s address reaffirming GBV as a national priority:
https://videopress.com/v/PihEBkHK

💪 From commitment to action — united leadership for a safer PNG.

25/03/2026

🌺 National Women’s Day Commemoration | Kavieng, New Ireland Province

In recognition of National Women’s Day, which was observed yesterday, the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), through the National Gender Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), participated in activities held as part of the commemoration in Kavieng, New Ireland Province.

The program was hosted by the New Ireland Provincial Council of Women, led by its President, Ms. Ruthy Watlen. She is also the New Ireland Provincial GBV Focal Point, who brought together faith-based organisations, community representatives, women leaders, and partners through a Jericho march and a central gathering attended by over 200 women from across the province.

During the commemoration, and in his first public address, Governor Byron Chan, reaffirmed his commitment to advancing women’s leadership and wellbeing, announcing a K500,000.00 allocation to support initiatives in gender-based violence prevention, women led economic activities, agriculture, and small business development.

Representing DfCDR, Ms Natasha Metta, Regional Coordinator, delivered remarks on behalf of the Executive Director, Ms Diane Kambanei, reaffirming NGBVS’s commitment to working collaboratively with women, mothers, and provincial stakeholders in the implementation of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence 2026–2035.

The celebrations reflects the importance of coordination between national and provincial systems, as outlined under Pillar 1 of the National GBV Strategy 2026–2035 – Transformative Governance. Strong coordination ensures national policies translate into meaningful action at the provincial and community level.

🤝 Continued national and provincial coordination remains central to creating safer communities and advancing the rights of women and girls across Papua New Guinea.

24/03/2026

📣 NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2026

Today, we mark National Women’s Day under the theme “Strongim meri, protectim rights, buildim PNG.”

This theme reflects our shared responsibility to strengthen women, protect their rights, and build a safer and more inclusive Papua New Guinea.

As we honour PNG women, we recommit to dignity, equality, and freedom from gender-based violence.

💜 Strongim meri. Protectim rights. Buildim PNG.

17/03/2026

📢 QUARTER 1 HIGHLIGHTS | BASIC COUNSELLING TRAINING (BTC)

In Quarter 1, the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), through the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), implemented the first phase of the Basic Counselling Training (BTC) across Wewak (East Sepik), Madang, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Buka).

Delivered in partnership with the PNG Counsellors Association (PNGCA), and supported by partners including Australia-Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ) in Bougainville, the program strengthened frontline counselling skills, improved referral coordination, and enhanced routine service-level reporting at community and provincial levels.

✅ 70+ frontline practitioners trained, assessed and certified as counsellors
✅ Participants from health services, FSVUs, safe houses, community development, civil society, justice, provincial government and faith-based organizations
✅ Strong focus on ethical practice, confidentiality, trauma‑informed and survivor‑centred care

📊 REPORTING AND DATA COLLECTING:
The BTC integrates standard counselling and referral reporting tools, enabling trained providers to systematically collect, record, and report service data. This supports evidence‑based planning, monitoring of survivor access to services, and improved accountability across the GBV response system.

Through strengthened reporting and data collection, the BTC directly supports PILLAR 5 of the GBV Strategy (Monitoring, Learning and Accountability), while reinforcing quality, survivor‑centred service delivery under PILLAR 2.

Overall, this NGBVS‑led program contributes to MTDP IV – Strategic Priority Area 11 and advances the national target of 60% of GBV survivors accessing counselling services by 2027.