Bel isi PNG Leadership Forum 2023

Group CEO BSP Financial Limited and Co-Chair of the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee Mark T. Robinson giving the welcome address.

After several years of navigating COVID-19, the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee welcomed the opportunity to once again host subscribers, business leaders, partners and stakeholders in person through the Bel isi PNG Leadership Forum 2023, held in Port Moresby on 18 May.

“Changing Attitudes – what is the role of men?” was the topic for discussion, moderated by Melkie Anton, a leader in engaging men in the conversation around family and sexual violence. Melkie facilitated guests through a dynamic discussion exploring ways to better understand how men can be part of the solution to ending violence. The open, critical and, at times vulnerable discussion that took place reinforced the private sector's commitment to making a difference.

Addressing family and sexual violence is not only good for individuals, families and communities, it is also good for businesses. Global and local evidence shows that family and sexual violence imposes a significant cost to businesses. In 2015, the Overseas Development Institute conducted a study ‘Gender violence in PNG: Businesses lost 11 days due to FSV, costing one company K3 million in a single year. 1 In 2021, an IFC and Business Coalition for Women study found that workplaces that were actively addressing FSV reduced the numbers of days lost to FSV from 11 to 10.2

Bel isi PNG is positioned to help subscribing companies minimise costs to them and also better support their employees. It provides case management and safe house services to subscribing companies and also advocates for change in the area of family and sexual violence. The Bel isi PNG Leadership Forum is an opportunity in which stakeholders in the private and public sectors and civil society organisations can come together annually, to learn from each other and foster relationships.

“During my first week with BSP I chaired the Steering Committee meeting and learned about the incredible efforts by individuals and organisations in establishing Bel isi PNG. For some families in our community, their homes are where violence is perpetrated and as confronting as this is to all of us, not doing anything about it, is not an option. BSP is proud to be involved in Bel isi PNG and will continue to provide support to the programme as we believe it is the right thing to do.

The Leadership Forum gives us an opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment to the partnership between private sector, public sector and civil society. Since leadership in organisations largely sits with the men, I encourage the men to be leading change in their homes and communities to provide protection as there is no place for violence in our homes and communities.”

Mark T. Robinson, Group CEO BSP Financial Group Limited & Co-Chair of the Bel isi PNG Steering Committee

The Bel Isi PNG initiative is an innovative public private partnership between Papua New Guinean and international businesses, the National Capital District Commission and is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Santos, Bank of South Pacific and Steamships Trading Co.

1Darko E, Smith W, 2015, ‘Gender violence in Papua New Guinea: The cost to business’ Overseas Development Institute.

2International Finance Corporation, 2021, ‘Workplace responses to Family and Sexual Violence in PNG; Building the business case, Washington DC