Keeping Kids Safe in the Eastern Highlands
Family Voice is based in the regional capital Goroka in Papua New Guinea (PNG); about 280 kilometres inland from the port of Lae, from where all supplies arrive. While there is a current major focus on preventing violence against women, Family Voice is also determined to find the resources to address the intersecting spectrum of issues, from poverty to social injustice and inequality.
Swire Shipping is supporting Family Voice’s ongoing education work by sponsoring the newly-created position of a Child Protection Officer. This position focuses on assisting most vulnerable children to avoid abuse, violence and being exploited by others or those in power or authority.
Abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation perpetrated against children which includes commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as child marriage and cutting of the skin rituals are prevalent in this region. There is little support for victims available.
Over 2020, the project achieved a number of set objectives:
Objective 1
To facilitate the protection and proper discipline of at least 1,000 students in the selected schools in the Eastern Highlands Province by the end of the two years.
- During the first year the project reached out to 959 students / 42 parents and four schools;
- Two targeted training programmes conducted, with 55 teachers trained;
- Seven activities held, reaching out to 370 children and 885 parents.
Objective 2
To educate and make aware the rights of children to at least 5,000 people by the end of the two years.
- Reached out to 5,802 people in 11 communities;
- 94 children assisted and 25 referred;
- Three training conducted reaching 454 people.