2024 BCFW FSV Forum

Group picture of the 2024 Family and Sexual Violence Forum hosted by The PNG Business Coalition for Women with the support of its member companies, CSO’s and Stakeholders.

Each year, Business Coalition for Women (BCFW) hosts its Annual Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) Forum, which coincides with the 20 Days of Human Rights Activism. This year, on November 21, 2024, the forum focused on Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV), aligning with the global campaign aimed at raising awareness and advocating against all forms of violence.

The primary goal of this year’s forum was to raise awareness of SARV by educating participants on its causes and the wide-reaching impacts it has on individuals, communities, workplaces, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a whole. The event also aimed to provide BCFW Family and Sexual Violence Workplace Contact Teams and private sector organizations with the knowledge and resources necessary to effectively address these critical issues.

The FSV Forum serves as an important platform for BCFW’s member companies to engage in discussions about Family and Sexual Violence. Held on November 21, 2024, the forum carried the theme ‘Highlighting the Rise of SARV’. The forum’s objective was to inform participants about the impact of SARV, its underlying causes, and its effects on both individuals and society.

By the conclusion of the forum, attendees gained a clear understanding of SARV, the legal framework and penalties in place to address it, as well as the available services, initiatives, and approaches implemented by both organizations and the government. The event also provided insights into the social norms surrounding SARV and highlighted areas where specific interventions are needed from companies, support services, advocates, the media, and the government.

Bel isi PNG subscribers who participated in the forum included Exxon Mobil, DT Global, Steamships, Australia Awards, Santos, BSP Financial Group Limited, Australia High Commission and Total Energies.