SPSN holds Planning Workshop on Family Sexual Violence

FSV actors from the Igat Hope Drama Group-Milne Bay
renacting a Domestic Violence scene during a drama.

STRONGIM Pipol Strongim Nesen, is working with Family Sexual Violence support service providers in Milne Bay and Eastern Highlands Province to design initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of Family Sexual Violence in the two provinces.    
                                                  
More than 30 representatives from the  Government Agencies, Law and Justice Agencies , FSV  Support Service Providers and Networks, representatives from Non Government Organisations who are determined to push for the change, were part of the Planning Workshop hosted by SPSN on April 18-20, 2012 in Port Moresby.

SPSN Program Director Jeremy Syme described this as an opportunity to reconsider and revitalise efforts against Family Sexual Violence.

In his introductory remarks, Mr Syme said change may not happen overnight but if communities are empowered and better informed then attitudes can change towards FSV.

He challenged the male participants at the workshop by saying “If you think it is OK to hit women, than you are wrong.  If you think violence against women is a social norm and therefore acceptable - then you need to reconsider.”

“As men we have to change our attitudes towards Family Sexual Violence and see ourselves as a major part of the solution to reduce Family Sexual Violence!” said Mr Syme.

 The planning workshop follows scoping studies undertaken by two SPSN teams to Eastern Highlands and Milne Bay Provinces, from February 13-15, 2012. The scoping was based on recommendations from an AusAID FSV Situational Analysis (September 2011) which recommended the need to design and pilot strategies for improving services to FSV victims in these two provinces.

Milne Bay and Eastern Highlands Provinces were selected as suitable sites for the pilot because of the existing organizations and networks providing services to FSV victims and survivors.

The scoping study provided an opportunity to evaluate the current status of FSV victims/survivors support services, programs, organizations and networks in the two pilot provinces and how support can be rendered. The study found many successful FSV support programs in both provinces which need to be supported so that they become the building blocks up-scaling the profile of FSV.   

Reducing Gender based Violence and Increasing Women’s Economic Empowerment is one of SPSN key priority areas along with Health, Education, Increasing Participation and Services for Person(s) with Disability.

This activity is one of SPSN’s Component 3 initiatives aimed at improving local governance in selected geographic areas.

For more information contact on FSV workshop: Patricia Sawanga, SPSN Component 3 Coordinator on email: info(AT)spsnpng.com.