Bel isi PNG Year in Review for 2022 (December issue)

In March, the mid-term review of Bel isi PNG was completed by independent consultant Ms Jane Kesno and the recommendations to the Steering Committee are now being implemented. The review noted the many achievements of Bel isi PNG to date and commended the role of the private sector in addressing family and sexual violence in PNG.

Early this year the Bel isi Program Manager position became vacant. While recruiting for a suitable candidate was underway, we understand that this had an impact on progress and communication with Bel isi PNG key partners and subscribers. We thank you for your patience during this time. With the recruitment of the new Bel isi PNG Program Manager in August, we were able to pick up the pace and ensure that subscribing companies’ needs were being met.

Some of the other achievements this year include issuing two newsletters in October and this current December issue. In the new year, these newsletters will be issued quarterly via email. Subscribing companies will be asked to provide content as a way of demonstrating how they have been able to address family and sexual violence (FSV) in their organisations.

In November this year, Bel isi PNG and key partners were able to reinstate the global Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) walk in Port Moresby. This activity had ceased due to COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years. With the lifting of the pandemic restrictions, Bel isi PNG and key partners were able to plan and convene the EVAW walk. On the 25th of November, we were able to have members of the private sector, Government of PNG, civil society and the public join us in the Bel isi PNG organised EVAW walk.

Bel isi PNG also hosted a networking event in December in order for company FSV frontliners or contact team members to share experiences. Special guest was Dinah Paki, a Counsellor who talked about the different forms of trauma and the importance of self-care.

We also bid farewell to the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee Co-Chair, Mr Robin Fleming, CEO for BSP. On behalf of Bel isi PNG would like to thank you for your commitment and leadership towards addressing gender-based violence (GBV), specifically family and sexual violence (FSV) within the private sector and throughout PNG as a whole. Congratulations on a long and stellar career with BSP and the positive changes related to FSV that you have implemented at BSP as well as the private sector under your leadership.

As changes happen, it is also worthwhile to note that as the managing partner of the Bel isi PNG program, Oil Search Foundation has changed its name to Santos Foundation. The name change was launched on Tuesday 13 December by Santos CEO, Kevin Gallagher at the APEC Haus.

Bel isi PNG would like to thank its key partners and all the subscribing companies and staff for your partnership and collaboration this year and we look forward to the continued partnership in 2023.