Papua New Guinea: Strengthening healthcare for survivors of violence
Almost 60 per cent of women and girls in Papua New Guinea have experienced some form of physical sexual violence, almost twice the global average. In addition to gender-based violence, the region faces regular violence between tribal groups, and periodic episodes of election-related violence. Janet Kilea, an MSF community engagement supervisor in Jiwaka, brings her personal experience to her role.
In June 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) set up a project in Jiwaka province, Papua New Guinea. In collaboration with the health authorities, the aim is to improve access to care for survivors of tribal violence, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), domestic violence, election-related and sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV). The growing incidence of inter-community and sexual violence in the Highlands region has attracted the attention of MSF teams as access to healthcare services for victims of violence is uneven, particularly in areas that are particularly difficult to reach. Jiwaka province has limited health structures spread across rugged mountainous terrain, making health care delivery difficult to its rural and remote populations, and putting them in a vulnerable situation.
Tribal fighting is common in the Highlands where clans and tribes have fought each other for centuries due to land, livestock and gender-based disputes. The fights exacerbate the delicate socioeconomic situation in the Highlands and the limited access to healthcare compounds the suffering of both displaced populations and host communities. PNG remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for women and girls.
With the Jiwaka project, MSF plans to strengthen the capacity of existing services in the health structures, develop a sustainable community-based approach to healthcare and establish a functioning SGBV care service through the strengthening of the referral and protection system.
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