Violence against women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is widespread and pervasive. Across PNG, two thirds of women experience physical violence at the hands of their husbands. In at least one region, it is close to 100 per cent. And 60 per cent of men have admitted to being involved in at least one gang rape.

The violence women and girls in Papua New Guinea face can be extreme, including ‘payback’ rape in connection with tribal fighting and torture and murder for those accused of sorcery.

Women in Papua New Guinea want the violence to stop. They want comprehensive laws protecting their right to live free from violence. They want effective assistance from police. They want perpetrators to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They want somewhere to go when they flee violence in the home. They want violence prevention education in schools. They want the government to take action.

The Papua New Guinea Government has failed to take adequate action, frequently using the excuses of culture and a lack of resources. Amnesty International believes the Government of must identify and address the root causes of violence against women, in addition to seeing that perpetrators are prosecuted and survivors of violence supported.

"My husband broke my nose and hit me with timber over the back of my head. I went to the police to tell them to arrest him – they said they would do it but they didn’t."

Margaret, East Sepik.

As Papua New Guinea’s nearest neighbour and largest bilateral aid donor, Australia must encourage the PNG Government to listen to the women of their country and do more to stop the violence.

Violence against women and the law

In 2002, the PNG Government introduced the Sexual Offences And Crimes Against Children Act. While the Act covers rape (including marital rape), sexual assault and child sexual exploitation, it does not address violence in the family. There is currently no law in Papua New Guinea that specifically addresses domestic violence. Most perpetrators of violence against women are never arrested. Those that are, usually don’t make it to court and those that do make it to court are rarely sentenced.

Nowhere safe to go

Women suffering from violence in the home do not have protection because there are too few safe houses available. The few that exist are run without government assistance, and struggle from a lack of resources. The severe lack of emergency accommodation for women is a prime example of the government’s chronic inaction and failure to meet its obligations to protect women’s human rights in the country.

Grace and Josephine are two of many women in Papua New Guinea who have told Amnesty International their stories of domestic and sexual violence.