UNFPA and the Korean International Cooperation Agency have launched a new project addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and sorcery accusation related violence (SARV)  in Papua New Guinea. 

“This project is a gamechanger for addressing GBV and SARV in PNG,” said UNFPA Country Representative Marielle Sander. “This violence is a destructive force in our communities and it is a problem towards achieving sustainable development for everyone. It is like a disease in our communities.”

“We are calling on everyone across Papua New Guinea to take a stand against sorcery accusation related violence and  gender-based violence because unless there is peace in our homes, in our communities, there will not be peace in Papua New Guinea.”

The agreement was signed by Ms Sander and KOICA Country Director Kapchae Ra. They were joined by Ambassador of Korea Ho Jeung Kang, Department of Justice and Attorney General Secretary Eric Kwa, and Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary Jerry Ubase. 

“One of the objectives of this four-year project is to ensure women and girls and vulnerable persons those who experience or who are at risk of GBV or SARV have access to quality and timely support, delivered as part of a coordinated response,” explained Ambassador Kang. 

Both Ambassador Kang and Ms Sander highlighted the importance of partnership, that this new project does not exist in isolation but as part of ongoing, multi-sectoral responses to ending gender-based violence and establishing peaceful relationships between individuals, families, and communities. 

Both Secretary Kwa and Secretary Ubase welcomed this new partnership to end the scourge of GBV and SARV in Papua New Guinea, speaking on the importance of supporting government in a coordinated approach to this immense challenge. 

“We need a lot more partners. We need a lot more friends,” said Secretary Kwa. “This violence takes on new faces and new forms. We need to be smart in our approaches. I hope that through this new partnership with KOICA we can work smarter.”

The $4.7 million USD project will include strengthening services for survivors of violence and preventing both GBV and SARV through targeted outreach promoting peaceful interpersonal and intercommunal relationships.  

Tribal Foundation’s Yanamlyn Yana and UN Women’s Pearl Atuhaire joined this event to speak of how this new project complements the work of civil society and grassroots organisations in advocating for social norm change. This project accelerates gains delivered through the Spotlight Initiative, which addresses effective referral pathways among other interventions, and the Joint Highlands Programme, which includes development of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support services.

Ms. Sander spoke of the data surrounding SARV, noting that of incidents reported over a four year period, 57% of accusations are made against women. 5% of those accused were 18 years old or younger, with two under the age of ten. UNFPA brings expertise in data-driven programming to this new project, understanding that approaches need to be flexible and need to be responsive to the different needs of each community in which this project will be implemented. 

The project will be implemented in Morobe Province, East New Britain Province, Enga Province, Southern Highlands Province, Eastern Highlands Province, and Western Highlands Province. The project is scheduled to be completed in September 2026.

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