The women breaking the cycle of violence in Papua New Guinea

"The former athlete runs programmes aimed at reducing harm to women in some of Papua New Guinea's most dangerous regions. Her story starts with pain. I was raped at age seven, she says. That experience shaped the questions that have driven my life: why is violence normal? And what would it take to build something different especially for girls growing up in places like mine?"

"Leading human rights activist Ruth Kissam says gender-based violence which includes domestic and sexual violence, and killings related to sorcery accusations permeates every level of society. Violence is often not reported due to fear of retaliation or a lack of faith in the justice system. It's a pandemic within our homes and communities, Kissam says. The reality is that for many women in PNG, violence is a daily experience, not an isolated event."

"Booth runs sport-based programmes that teach about leadership, gender equality and healthy ways to resolve conflict. Other women work in villages at a smaller scale to deal with the impact of violence. Booth says she sees change through her programs. The most powerful thing was watching families and elders come and sit on the sidelines then stay behind, asking questions. That tells you something, she says. It's about the village beginning to unlearn and relearn, together."

Papua New Guinea experiences pervasive gender-based violence, with around two-thirds of women affected and recent brutal murders sparking public outrage. Laws to protect women and children exist but are rarely enforced, and many survivors avoid reporting due to fear of retaliation or lack of faith in the justice system. Activists and community leaders use sport-based and village-level programmes to teach leadership, gender equality and nonviolent conflict resolution. Personal trauma motivates some leaders to act. These initiatives foster family and elder engagement, aim to change mindsets, and encourage communities to unlearn harmful norms and relearn safer, equitable behaviours.

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