Outcome PNG_D_3.2

SN Outcome 2.2 Men and boys recognize women and girls' right to live lives free from violence (aligned to SP Output 12)

Awareness raising campaigns were conducted to sensitize men about women and girls rights. The activities were implemented through implementing partners.

SN Outcome 2.2 Men and boys recognize women and girls' right to live lives free from violence (aligned to SP Output 12)

In 2022,PNG witnessed a growth of men and boys movement (including, politicians, church, youth and community leaders), standing up for women's rights . UN Women specially used the ‘SANAP Wantaim Campaign,' Community Action Groups (through the work of Eastern Highlands Family Voice) to engage young men on women and girls rights. These youth champions gained new knowlegde on positive masculinity and gender equality and have become change agents providing leadership in communities by raising awareness and mobilizing the community to utilize available services. For example the trained youths reached a total of 1541(903F/611M) people in 2022 through various intrventions which included outreach activities in six communities (5 in the National Capital District and 1 in Western Highlands Province, five schools (4 in Western and 1 in Eastern Highlands Province), two markets ( 1 in Morobe and 1 in East Sepik). The youth have also disseminated messages through radio and TV programmes broadcast by the National Broadcasting Corporation which has national coverage across all 22 provinces of the country. Under, the WPHF Programme, UN Women's partners such as Eastern Highlands Family Violence, Kafe Urban Settlers Women Association, Community Development Association and Kup Women for Peace included male engagement components in their programmes leading to changes in men's behaviour towards their wives. Mr. Bana Mick from Muglwaku Kar tribe in Simbu Province, is evidence of the impact of engaging men. Simbu province is associated with high rates of intimate partner violence where, 63% women aged 15 to 49 years old reported to have ever experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse from their partners (PNG DHS 2016). Mr. Mick beat his wife daily, exacerbated by his abuse of alcohol and drugs. In his own words, “I used to be a violent man, beat my wife and children daily”. One of the community leaders said that the wife feared reporting the abusive husband to the police because she feared losing him and retribution from the community. Through Kup Women for Peace's engagements in the area, Mick's sister in-law gathered the courage to report him to the police and he was arrested. After his release, he started taking part in all community initiatives to end violence against women and girls.