Investing in Prevention and Intervention

A recent report titled “Gender violence in Papua New Guinea: The cost to business”, presents a compelling business case for the reasons why businesses should invest in intervention and prevention of gender-based violence. Key messages from the research highlight the extreme incidence of violence against women in PNG, demonstrating the impact on employers. The report suggests that a total of 26,200 staff days are lost per year as a direct result of gender-based violence. Apart from the obvious human rights obligations to work towards reducing violence against women, it is clear that investing in prevention, response and gender equality initiatives in the workplace would benefit business.

IWDA’s Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women program works with two local organisations in PNG, including Voice for Change and the Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation. Women Human Rights Defenders from these organisations have been trained in trauma counselling, action planning and peacebuilding thanks to IWDA’s FLOW program.