National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat Papua New Guinea

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.

16/03/2026

🏛️PILLAR 5: DATA & ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS

When data is transparent and reliable, action becomes informed, timely, and accountable.

Pillar 5 of the GBV Strategy 2026–2035 focuses on strengthening data systems and accountability mechanisms to ensure decisions are evidence based, progress is clearly measured, and institutions are held accountable for protecting survivors of gender based violence.

What Pillar 5 delivers across Papua New Guinea:

🔹 A National GBV Dashboard by 2028
Providing a clear, national picture of GBV trends, responses, and outcomes.

🔹 Real time, disaggregated data from all provinces
Ensuring responses reflect the lived realities of survivors in diverse communities.

🔹 Quarterly provincial scorecards and annual audits
Tracking progress, identifying gaps, and driving continuous improvement.

🔹 Survivor feedback and public reporting mechanisms
Placing survivor voices at the centre of monitoring and accountability.

🔹 Biannual parliamentary hearings on GBV
Strengthening oversight, transparency, and political accountability.

🔹 Real time data for adaptive decision making
Enabling government and partners to respond quickly and adjust actions where needed.

Behind every data point is a real person and every transparent system brings Papua New Guinea closer to ending gender-based violence.

CALL TO ACTION
✅ Share this message to promote transparency and accountability
✅ Support evidence based action to end gender based violence
✅ Advocate for data driven decisions that protect survivors

Ending gender based violence requires more than commitment it requires accountability at every level. Together, through data, truth, and action, we can build a safer Papua New Guinea.
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ACCESS THE FULL GBV STRATEGY:
To read or download a copy of the GBV Strategy 2026–2035, please visit our website:
👉 www.ngbvs.com

13/03/2026

12/03/2026

📢 OFFICIAL LAUNCH: NATIONAL GBV STRATEGY 2026–2035

Yesterday at Parliament, the Government of Papua New Guinea, through the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), officially launched the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender‑Based Violence 2026–2035.

Led by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Hon. Jason Peter MP, the Strategy marks a major national milestone. It sets out a clear 10‑year roadmap to address gender‑based violence through prevention, survivor‑centred services, improved access to justice, perpetrator rehabilitation, and strengthened data and accountability systems across all provinces. We also acknowledge the strong parliamentary leadership of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Hon. Governor Powes Parkop, MP.

Developed through extensive nationwide consultations and informed by survivor voices, community feedback, and stakeholder engagement, the Strategy reflects a coordinated whole‑of‑government approach to ending gender‑based violence. This launch signals a renewed national commitment to protect women and girls and deliver real, measurable change over the next decade.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA and UNFPA for their leadership and partnership with the Government of PNG in developing the Strategy. We also acknowledge the continued support of the Governments of Australia, Japan, the European Union, and New Zealand, together with UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF, civil society organisations, the private sector, and all agencies and stakeholders who have contributed over the years.

Above all, we recognise the mothers, women, girls, survivors, communities, leaders, and all those whose voices and contributions shaped this Strategy a people‑centred roadmap that belongs to the people of Papua New Guinea and reflects our shared responsibility to end gender‑based violence.

We believe together, we can transform PNG into a nation free from GBV.

👉 Stay tuned for more updates on the launch. Like, follow, and share to help amplify this important national commitment.

🔗 National GBV Strategy available via link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n-40SldoVeYDhFvpTxVOzGpjtGYOsd31/view?usp=drive_link

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📸 Photo credit: UNFPA Papua New Guinea

10/03/2026

🏛️ PILLAR 4: JUSTICE SYSTEM REPAIR & PERPETRATOR REHABILITATION

When the justice system is strong, survivors get real protection and offenders are held accountable.



Pillar 4 of the GBV Strategy 2026–2035 focuses on repairing critical gaps in the justice system and helping offenders change their behaviour so violence does not continue from one generation to the next.

This is what Pillar 4 will deliver across PNG:

⚖️ A GBV judicial tract and GBV circuit courts in all provinces: A dedicated pathway to ensure GBV cases are handled consistently and properly.

⚖️ 500 specialised GBV police officers trained every year: Strengthening frontline response and improving how cases are managed.

⚖️ Conviction rates lifted from the current 0.5% to our strategy target of 25%: A major shift in accountability and justice for survivors.

⚖️ Perpetrator rehabilitation centres in every province: Supporting behaviour change and reducing repeat violence.

⚖️ Pro bono lawyers supporting survivors in 4 regions: Making justice accessible for those who cannot afford legal representation.

⚖️ Stronger action on cyber‑GBV and meeting CEDAW obligations: Ensuring PNG responds to modern forms of violence and meets expected standards.

Behind each commitment is a survivor who deserves justice and a community that deserves safety.



💛 CALL TO ACTION

👉 Share this message and help spread awareness

👉 Encourage survivors to seek help and report safely

👉 Support organisations working in justice and legal support

A safer PNG is possible when our justice system protects people and stops violence early. Together, we can transform PNG into a nation free from Gender‑Based Violence.

–2035

06/03/2026

💜INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY



This International Women’s Day 2026, we celebrate the theme “Give To Gain.” It reminds us that when we give safety, respect, and opportunity to women and girls, our communities become stronger and safer.



The Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), through the National GBV Secretariat (NGBVS), is leading work across PNG to reduce gender‑based violence by supporting provinces, Family Support Centres, FSVUs, and survivor‑focused services.

Through the CSO GBV Grants program, more than K6.2 million has been given to local organisations helping women and girls every day. These grants provide life‑saving support, safe spaces, and pathways to justice showing that when we give support, PNG gains a safer future for all.

🌼When we give protection, we gain stability.

🌼 When we give justice, we gain trust.

🌼When we give respect, we gain equality.

This IWD, what will YOU Give To Gain gender equality in PNG?

Take a stand, speak up, and help make PNG a safer place for all women and girls.

06/03/2026

PILLAR 3: PREVENTION & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Breaking the cycle of GBV begins with our young people. When we invest in their leadership, strengthen schools, and shift harmful norms, we build a safer PNG for generations to come.

Pillar 3 of the GBV Strategy 2026–2035 focuses on empowering youth and communities to prevent violence before it happens.

Here’s what this commitment delivers nationwide:
🌱 95% of schools implementing a GBV prevention curriculum
🌱 Nearly 1 million youth engaged through awareness and leadership programs
🌱 19,000 youth ambassadors and 9,500 GBV champions trained
🌱 National digital and media campaigns driving positive change
🌱 Partnerships with faith and community leaders strengthening prevention at every level

Behind each statistic is a young person gaining confidence, learning respect, and becoming part of the movement to end violence in PNG.

💚 CALL TO ACTION
👉 Share this message and help spread awareness
👉 Talk to a young person about respect and equality
👉 Support community and youth groups working to prevent GBV

A safer PNG starts with the next generation.
Together, we can break the cycle of intergenerational violence