The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Your Foundation for Freedom
Everyone is born with equal rights and fundamental freedoms. But what exactly does that mean, and where are these rights outlined?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document that outlines the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. Drafted by representatives from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds across the globe, it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
The UDHR provides a foundation for a just and equitable future for all. It empowers people globally in the fight against oppression, impunity and any attacks on human dignity.
These rights recognise our freedom to make choices about our own lives and to fully develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.
Do you know your human rights? Check out the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here.
The Fight for Human Rights: How SDGs Guide Our Work
Although everyone is born with equal rights, the reality is that many people around the world are denied these fundamental freedoms.
To achieve human rights for all, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs in 2015. The central promise is to ‘leave no one behind.’ Achieving this vision is a shared global responsibility, requiring collective action.
Goal 5: Gender Equality is at the heart of our work at FemiliPNG Australia. We believe that ensuring women and girls can live free from violence is essential to achieving all of the SDGs. While violence affects everyone, violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread and pervasive human rights violations. Globally, one in three women will experience violence in her lifetime. In Papua New Guinea, this figure rises to two in three.
The SDGs are all interconnected, which means that effective projects must address multiple SDGs at once to create lasting change. Our partner, Femili PNG, run a Case Management Centre (CMC) for survivors of family and sexual violence (FSV) and sorcery-accusation-related violence (SARV) in Goroka. The Goroka CMC actively contributes to many intersecting SDGs including Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Â
The Femili PNG Goroka CMC team work with complex cases of FSV and SARV in the Eastern Highlands of PNG. To address these cases effectively, strong coordination and advocacy are critical. Femili PNG ensures that cases receive attention from appropriate legal and judicial bodies, and that perpetrators of violence are held accountable (Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) – whilst keeping survivors safe and supported during the process.
In 2024, Femili PNG hired a new Project Manager for the Goroka CMC, to support leadership and strengthen collaboration within the local referral network1. The efforts to build strong relationships have had a significant impact. Through dedicated relationship-building, Femili PNG have successfully facilitated case conferences involving multiple partners (Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals). This strategic relationship-building ensures survivors receive coordinated, comprehensive support, prioritising their safety, well-being, and justice, preventing them from navigating complex systems alone.
- In Goroka, numerous organisations provide support to survivors of FSV and SARV. Among them are the Police, Health Service Providers, Safe Houses, Village Courts, Organizations of People with Disabilities, and other NGOs. ↩︎
Partnerships for the Goals: Collaborative Funding
Beyond the partnership in project implementation, Femili PNG Australia and Femili PNG jointly work with others to secure project funding.
FemiliPNG Australia supports Femili PNG by providing technical expertise and raising funds from the Australian public to assist FemiliPNG’s life-changing work. By supporting us, you’re directly helping to build a safer future for women and children in Papua New Guinea.
We welcome your contribution to this important work. Please donate today!
Our key partnership is with Femili PNG, a leading Papua New Guinean non-government organisation (NGO) that provides free, survivor-focused, and empowering case management services; research-based advocacy; outreach and training.
FemiliPNG Australia acknowledges the valuable contribution of the Australian Government’s Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) to the Goroka CMC.
Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding from the Australian Government to reach more people. We have committed to contribute $1 for every $5 we receive from the Australian government.
Mundango Abroad, a private ancillary fund, is a long-time supporter of Femili PNG and FemiliPNG Australia. We thank them for their continued support!