Forms of Violence and Discrimination against Women in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is pervasive and enduring in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Women and girls in this country are to a large extent exposed to sexual assault, rape and domestic violence in urban and rural areas. Once affected, they get only little attention and support, let alone justice. Asking what triggers violence against women in PNG this paper examines the different forms, causes and reasons of GBV. It highlights PNG-specific forms of violence against women. From the analysis of GBV it argues that violence is deeply rooted in PNG societies and widely accepted. Understanding GBV is of great importance for counteraction as the government, churches and various NGOs now run programs to improve the situation for women, but measures do not show the necessary impacts, because they do not address the profoundness and complexity of GBV in PNG.

Keywords

• Gender-based violence
• GBV
• structural violence
• bride price
• polygamy
• sorcery
• triggers and causes of violence
• witch-hunt
• Papua New Guinea
• PNG