Femili PNG, through its Wok Bung Wantaim program to build respectful relationships between men and women for safer communities, successfully completed a two-day training course on Gender and Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) at the Morobe Hotel recently.
Training and Outreach Coordinator, Mr. Paul Kunump, delivered the sessions to 26 male youth leaders from Phoaba Community in Ward 14, Lae. Phoaba is one of the communities where Femili PNG is focusing its Wok Bung Wantaim project, following consultations that highlighted widespread abuse and violence.
The training covered key topics including family and sexual violence, types of violence, consequences of family violence, child abuse, the law and penalties, and referral pathways. Most participants are unemployed and spend much of their time in the community. They expressed gratitude to Femili PNG for the opportunity to learn about GBV/FSV—issues they witness daily but previously understood only superficially.
Nimo Norman reflected: “We sleep and wake up with violence every day at our doorstep, but little did I know what family and sexual violence really is. I thought FSV was just marriage issues, nothing deeper. Through the training, I learned it is far beyond that, and I feel I have a responsibility to help and provide support.”
Another participant, Tonge Duka, shared: “I never knew there were laws on certain types of violence and abuses. Learning about the law was something new for me. Today I discovered that we do have laws on family and sexual violence, child abuse, and sorcery accusation-related violence. Many parents and children don’t know about these laws. This training challenged me to educate people in my community and encourage them to think before taking violent action.”
Femili PNG believes such training is essential to build respectful relationships between men and women. Sensitizing individuals helps them realize what GBV/FSV truly is, understand their responsibilities, and take action to prevent violence and abuse—creating safer communities for all.
The two-day intensive and interactive workshop concluded with participants presenting action plans to roll out in the coming months, signalling their commitment to fight FSV through knowledge and community leadership.
