Voice for Change

Voice for Change (VfC) is a women’s human rights organisation aiming to empower and mobilise rural women to take leadership in addressing gender-based violence and increasing women’s economic empowerment. VfC focusses on promoting advocacy towards ending violence against women and girls, and working towards safer communities, to increase respect and protection of women in Papua New Guinea. It has built strong relationships with village elders, Local Level and Provincial Governments to support this.

Voice for Change AND IWDA

VfC have been an IWDA partner since 2013. IWDA’s funding allows VfC to become stronger and expand their work and reach, as well as to become a resource organisation for other smaller and new women’s groups in the Province.

Quick Facts

  • Voice for Change works in collaboration with local communities, the police and community law enforcers (village court magistrates, peace mediators and ward councillors) to improve women’s safety and security.
  • Voice for Change promotes equal participation through building networks of Women Human Rights Defenders and empowering women through community mobilisation.
  • The organisation began as a voluntary one in 1996, under the name Rural Women’s Development Initiative, and was formally registered in 2004.
  • Establishment of VfC was a direct result of the need to formally respond to increases in violence against women and girls in Jiwaka Province.