Papua New Guinea
Population size:
8.9 million [1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
67% of women suffer from domestic abuse. [2]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
No research.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
Police Minister Bryan Kramer:" said 647 cases of domestic violence were reported in Port Moresby in June alone" [3]
Current law and policy:
The Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government announce concrete steps to end violence against women and girls.
The Government of Papua New Guinea notes that all forms of violence against women and girls are a violation of their human rights. The Minister for Police in Papua New Guinea commits to support and enforce laws to bring perpetrators of violence against women and girls to justice; enhance access to justice for survivors by resourcing the sexual violence unit within the police force with referrals to legal and specialized services; and train providers of frontline services within the police force to ensure that they follow quality standards and protocols in dealing with sexual violence offences. Furthermore, the Minister for Police pledges to support the passing of the Family Protection Bill (also referred to as the Domestic Violence law) and the repealing of the 1971 Sorcery Act in Parliament and enforce the criminal code to protect women and girls from sorcery related violence and other forms of violence including abuse and torture.
Sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence are inextricably linked to the spread of HIV and AIDS. Nearly 60% of the reported cases are women and girls, and many have reported associated sexual violence and abuse against them. As part of the national response to the HIV epidemic, the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) in PNG in partnership with UN Women has undertaken the initiative to mainstream gender equality and promote human rights of women and girls and sexual minorities in the coordination, management and monitoring of programs with implementing partners. The Minister responsible for Health and HIV/AIDS pledges to continue to support NACS, its partners and stakeholders to ensure gender equality and respect for human rights are mainstreamed and productively pursued in all aspects of their work.
In addition, the Autonomous Bougainville Government in PNG commits to domestic violence and women’s rights and end violence against women and girls through new legislation and policies that promote theimplementation of CEDAW and a Bougainville Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The Action Plan will be a shared platform to better understand gender and development challenges including concerns in post-conflict Bougainville with an aim to: raising awareness on key women, peace and security issues, providing space for discussion and exchange of information; strengthening understanding of and commitment to gender equality in Bougainville; and provide a mechanism for key stakeholders come together and identify priorities and strategies to address issues and concerns relating to women and girls.
Sources
[1] Worldometer, “Papua New Guinea Population (Live)”, (worldometers.info)
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/dec/16/women-domestic-violence-abuse-papua-new-guinea ; https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9886.pdf