Go Back

Home

Donate

Go Back

Who we are

Donate

Go Back

What we do

Donate

Go Back

Where we work

Donate

Go Back

Latest

Donate

Go Back

Data

Donate

UNFPA Asia and the Pacific

Her Dignity, Our Priority: Phase One

Strengthening services for survivors of gender-based violence in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea

UNFPA, with support from Zonta International, partnered with national stakeholders in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste to enhance the quality and the coordination of services available to women survivors of gender- based violence. Phase 1 of the programme, implemented from November 2020 to September 2023 in Milne Bay and Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and in Liquica Municipality in Timor-Leste, aimed to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence have more effective support for their long-term recovery and improved opportunities to leave the cycle of violence.

For many women, a visit to a health facility may be her first effort to seek help and the only chance to receive support and care, as well as to escape a situation of abuse. This initiative aims at equipping all health-care providers with adequate knowledge and skills to effectively identify and treat survivors of gender- based violence, including through clinical interventions, provision of emotional and psycho-social support and referral to other specific services that the survivor may wish to access.

Health systems

Health service providers have the necessary knowledge and capacity to deliver quality, essential health services to gender-based violence survivors.

Coordination mechanisms

Relevant government authorities have the capacity to establish multi-sectoral gender-based violence coordination mechanisms.

Gender-based Violence in Papua New Guinea

of women who are or have been married have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their spouse

of women report having experienced physical violence

of women report having experienced sexual violence

Gender-based Violence in Timor-Leste

of women who are or have been married have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their spouse

of women, and up to 79% of men believe wife-beating is justified

of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence sought help

Impact

Hear from our partners how Zonta and UNFPA are making a difference.

The ‘Her Health and Dignity, Our Priority’ project has made high-quality and well-coordinated essential services accessible to more women and girls affected by violence in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. These changes support survivor’s immediate care, as well as long-term recovery.

Health care workers developed their knowledge and skills in providing survivor-centred care. Coordination between these health services, psychosocial support, police, and justice systems was strengthened, ensuring survivors can access the breadth of support services available to them, regardless of where they first seek help.

Family Support Centre in Alotau refurbished to include additional exits, improved patient privacy, and children‘s room (PNG)

In-service health training package developed and endorsed by the Ministry of Health (TL)

17 health workers and managers trained on survivor-centred care in Liquica (TL)

1,183 community members attended community awareness activities on GBV (TL)

73 gender-based violence service providers trained on case management in Alotau, Bougainville, and Port Moresby PNG)

Safe space for survivors established in Liquica (TL)

National healthcare curriculum on GBV developed (PNG)

64 health workers trained on survivor-centred care in Milne Bay and Bougainville

Ana-latu's story

“While providing counseling services, we must be very clear that it is about the survivor and never about us.

During the training we learned guiding principles – such as safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and respect – that have been very helpful in our work and care of survivors of gender-based violence.”

Ana-latu, Papua New Guinea

Read her story

Alcina's story

“When a woman comes to us and we provide quality care, then they trust us and trust the coordination between us and other organisations.

We’re not going to change practices overnight, but little by little.”

Alcina, Timor Leste

Read her story

Esther's story

“Since the training, I’ve been traveling a lot in the districts and visiting health facilities. I’ve been raising awareness about gender-based violence and how it should not be overlooked, as well as sharing information on the services available for survivors.”

Esther, Papua New Guinea

Read her story

Dulce's story

“These women have the right to live free from violence. From this training, we have gained skills to be able to provide consistent and quality care according to the best practice guidelines.”

Dulce, Timor Leste

Read her story

Geraldo's story

“Health workers play a very important role in supporting women and girls who have experienced violence. We have the knowledge so it is important that we have that space to speak with survivors and help them understand their options.”

Dr Geraldo, Timor Leste

Read his story

Diana's story

"Survivors should be given the choice to choose the services they receive with clear information. To see her happy - to see her smiling again - that is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Diana, Papua New Guinea

Read her story

Acknowledgements

UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone involved in the project, including UNFPA Timor-leste and Papua New Guinea Country Offices, partner organizations, and government representatives, and others who helped make the project a success.

Without the generous support from Zonta International Foundation and their unwavering commitment to improve the lives of women and girls and ending gender-based violence in Asia and the Pacific Region, these significant achievements in strengthening essential services for survivors would have not been possible.