Gender-based violence remains one of the most significant challenges facing Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is estimated that, without taking action, almost eight million PNG women will be impacted by gender-based violence by 2046. Currently, two in three women in PNG report experiencing violence, double the global average. In the Government of Papua New Guinea’s 2026-35 National Gender-based Violence Strategy, Prime Minister Marape describes the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence as “a public emergency”. Addressing family and sexual violence in PNG requires long-term, immediate and coordinated action. The mission and vision of Femili PNG, and in turn, its partnership with FemiliPNG Australia (FPNGA) is shaped by this context.
Femili PNG is a Papua New Guinean Non-government Organisation that was established to assist survivors of family and sexual violence to access the services they need. Femili PNG began in 2014 with the opening of the first case management centre in Lae. A second centre in Port Moresby was opened in 2018 as part of the Bel Isi PNG Initiative, and in 2021, Femili PNG opened the Goroka outpost.
FPNGA (originally Friends of Femili PNG) was created in 2015 by Femili PNG as a support organisation to Femili PNG. FPNGA’s primary partner is Femili PNG, and the organisation was established, and continues to operate, under this enduring mandate. FPNGA’s philosophy is one of locally-led development, which is reflected in the structure of the partnership. In 2023, FPNGA became an separately governed organisation with the creation of its own Board, resulting in two independent yet fundamentally connected entities operating in partnership.
Partnerships for Locally-led Development
At FPNGA we put local leadership at the heart of all we do. Locally-led development recognises, respects and strengthens the leadership and decision-making of local individuals, organisations and institutions who are best placed to understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
While leadership over local services rests with Femili PNG, FPNGA actively contributes to achieving shared goals. We engage as a strategic partner – mobilising resources, sharing expertise, and strengthening systems that enable Femili PNG to increase its impact. Our approach ensures that power, resources, and voice are exercised in ways that reinforce local ownership and decision-making while leveraging the strengths of our Australian-based support network.
As the demand for the services of Femili PNG has grown steadily, and continues to grow, the partnership between Femili PNG and FemiliPNG Australia has also grown and changed.
Partnership Review: Learning From the Last Five-years
The Femili PNG and FPNGA partnership operates on five year cycles – what this means is that every five years, we review the effectiveness of the partnership to ensure that it is fit-for-purpose, aligned with both organisations visions/missions, and document how the partnership has evolved. The findings from the review then informs the next five years of the partnership.
The most recent Partnership Review looked at the 2020-2025 partnership period, it was conducted and authored by the Executive Director of FPNGA, Jocelyn Condon[1]. The process was collaborative and participatory – drawing on key documents developed by both Femili PNG and FPNGA, as well as interviews spanning the Board and staff of both organisations.
Over time, the partnership has delivered significant and interrelated achievements that demonstrate its value in practice. The Partnership Review identified four key achievements over the last five years:
- Expanded programming
- Strengthening of systems and organisational structure
- Femili PNG emerged as a local family and sexual violence leader, and operating much more independently
- The partnership has supported growth and people-to-people links
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the partnership can now focus on stablising and building on its established strengths. The opportunities identified through the Partnership Review can be grouped into three key areas:
- Communicate the existing model of partnership
- Strengthen our foundations and pursue stability
- Rebalance FPNGA’s role towards targeted strategic development and advice
Femili PNG and FPNGA will work together to prioritise and action the opportunities identified in the Partnership Review.
[1] The review is not independent, and does not claim to fully or equally present the views of both partners.