Women and girls affected by violence in Enga Province have received essential hygiene supplies with support from UNFPA, Care International, and the Australian Government. 

The dignity kits, which include menstrual hygiene supplies as well as soap, a towel, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, are curated to ensure all women and girls can practice good hygiene when access to these basics is disrupted. Each kit includes a solar light, to help the recipients use toilets or showers at night or when power is not available, and a whistle, as a small security measure when visiting bathrooms alone or at night.

“Periods do not stop during conflict or a natural disaster,” said UNFPA Country Representative Marielle Sander. “UNFPA works to ensure women and girls can maintain good hygiene and to be able to continue their daily lives comfortably.”

“We are grateful to our network of partners throughout the country who are able to ensure we can deliver these kits to those most in need.”

The dignity kits were distributed to affected communities in Porgera with assistance from Care International. The team not only distributed the kits, but spoke with recipients about what is included and how to use and clean the resuable pads. 

These kits are made available from UNFPA Regional Pre-positioning Initiative, supported by the Australian Government. The Initiative places sexual and reproductive kits, including dignity kits and midwifery kits, at the Area Medical Store in Lae so that these are available when needed to provide for the needs of women and girls who are displaced by conflict or environmental disasters. 

UNFPA and Humanitarian Response 

UNFPA Papua New Guinea works to ensure women’s and girl’s sexual and reproductive health needs and rights are upheld during and following humanitarian emergencies. This includes the provision of dignity kits and reproductive health kits that provide basic hygiene supplies, safe birthing supplies, and STI and pregnancy testing. Kits have been distributed to the Highlands Region following the 2018 earthquake, Western Province during the COVID-19 outbreak, communities affected by tribal violence, and more recently to Enga Province to support women and girls displaced by election-related violence.