A new analysis paper and blog released today by the Lowy Institute, authored by journalist Jo Chandler, sheds more light on the pervasive issue of family and sexual violence in Papua New Guinea.
As Chandler writes in her blog:
“The first instinct of a journalist trying to communicate a crisis is to quantify it — to bundle it up in statistics. But the data on violence in PNG is scarce, and it is inevitably scrubbed clean of identity and humanity. The reality, by contrast, is raw, overwhelming, unfathomable, complex.”
The paper shares stories of women who have been affected by violence and shows the struggle that they face in accessing justice and services. It also praises the Case Management Centre project in Lae that we are supporting, calling it “one of the most promising Australian-backed projects”.
It’s really positive to see journalism and research brought together in this way, to bring out the complexity and the very human side of this issue. We need more data, we need rigorous research, but we also need survivors of this violence to be given a chance to be heard.
The stories in this paper not only paint a richer picture of the issue for researchers, and a more accessible way for wider audiences to gain an understanding of the challenges facing women in PNG, but also provide more fuel for advocacy.
Chandler also appeared on a panel last week on this issue with Ambassador for Women and Girls Natasha Stott-Despoja. A full podcast of the event, chaired by Jenny Hayward-Jones, is available here.
Dear Jo,
This is really good research and a compelling exposition of the many factors that fuel violence against women in Papua New Guinea. I would encourage all Devpolicy blog readers to follow the links and read Jo’s paper in full.
All Australian foreign ministers are briefed by staff from the former AusAID on this issue but none have persistently raised it in bilateral discussions. Somehow, other matters are always front and centre and violence against women is not seen as important enough to be a prominent agenda item. I am hopeful that Minister Bishop will take up this matter with more vigour and persistence, given her commitment to empowerment of women as a focus for the aid program — as Jo’s research shows, violence against women affects and is affected by a raft of social and economic issues in Papua New Guinea, and is not something that should be shunted sideways as a women’s matter.
Thank you Jo
Margaret