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Bougainville Women to participate in human rights forum

Over 200 women across Bougainville will be participating in a Human Rights Defenders Forum from the 15-19 October in North Bougainville.

These women are part of the Bougainville Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) and have been trained by the Nazareth Center for Rehabilitation in North Bougainville to lead educational, advocacy, awareness raising and similar activities at the community level.

This training was done with the aim of addressing gender based violence, gender inequality, women’s rights, community development and building peaceful communities.

The importance of such work was highlighted by a participant from last year’s forum in Siwai, who said, “Before we saw these issues of violence as a family matter. After the awareness we’ve been doing in the community, people understand.”

The forum will showcase women’s groups across different locations. Over the five days, there will be presentations, panel discussions and small group sessions that will focus on empowering women and strengthening their relationships and networks. It also recognizes and celebrates WHRDs and the continued work of rural women contributing to the development of Bougainville.

The theme of each day is aligned with the three international days: International Day of Rural Women (15 October), World Food Day (16 October) and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October).

A significant event during the five day forum will be the launch of the second phase of a project under the Nazareth Center for Rehabilitation, called ‘From Gender Based Violence to Gender Justice and Healing’ project.'

The first phase of the project ended in March this year, which saw a reach to almost 22, 000 people through counselling service provision, awareness and trainings.

The project is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the national government as part of the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development program.

CAPTION: North Bougainville women hold planning meeting in preparation for the forum.

 

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