Activism to Counter Gender-based Violence and HIV and AIDS: Overcoming obstacles to movement building in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Based on the experiences shared by the Papua New Guinean delegation at the AWID Forum, on the HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) landscape in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Lina Abirafeh discusses how the progress towards gender equality is impeded by the increased spread of HIV and AIDS and GBV in PNG. A PNG delegation of six women representing various sectors – donor, government, civil society, community – journeyed to AWID to present their experiences in exercising agency to build movements that counter these twin pandemics. These women are working together to build a strong and coordinated movement to counter HIV and GBV and demonstrating women's agency in movement building and making change.