Today, in the context of the 20 Days of Human Rights Activism Campaign, the European Union is pleased to announce the signing of the new Soim Wokabaut: EU Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme contract between the European Union and the United Nations in Papua New Guinea. Under this programme, UN Women will lead efforts in collaboration with UNFPA and UNOPS, working closely with the PNG Government through the Department of Community Development and Religion (DfCDR) and the PNG civil society to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Papua New Guinea.

The European Union remains firmly committed to supporting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the realisation of human rights for all—both globally and in Papua New Guinea. As a longstanding partner of the PNG Government and civil society in addressing GBV, the European Union continues its efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls through this initiative.

With a contribution of Euro 10.3 million (about 44 million kina), the Soim Wokabaut programme builds on the challenges and achievements of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls, which concluded in 2023. This new programme aims to: 

• Address specific forms of Gender-Based Violence and advance Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. 
• Support prevention efforts and provide protection for GBV survivors. 
• Strengthen access to justice. 

The overarching objective of the Soim Wokabaut programme is to promote the effective enforcement of laws and the implementation of Papua New Guinea’s National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2016-2025. Furthermore, it supports PNG Government in implementing the Gender Based Violence and related commitments included in the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV.

Over the next four years, the programme will operate at the national level, as well as in the National Capital District and Eastern Highlands Province, strengthening referral pathways, coordination mechanisms, and national, provincial, and district-level GBV responses. 

Key components of this program include the construction of the first state owned safe house for women needing protection in Eastern Highlands Province and by strengthening access to counselling services for survivors of violence. 

The European Union expresses its gratitude to the Government of Papua New Guinea, the National Capital District, the Eastern Highlands Province, and civil society for their collaboration in developing this impactful initiative with the aim to make Papua New Guinea a safer and more just place for all. 

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