Turning Papua New Guinea’s commitments on gender-based violence and family sexual violence into practical services will require stronger access to justice, better referral systems and coordinated action at provincial and district levels.

That was the message from Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu and Executive Director of the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat, Dianne Kambanei, during a panel discussion at the Bel Isi PNG Leadership Forum this week in Port Moresby.

The discussion focused on what it means to move GBV and FSV policies from commitment to action, particularly for survivors seeking help outside major urban centres.

Mr. Mamu said the Public Solicitor’s Office has a constitutional mandate to provide legal aid, with its primary responsibility focused on criminal law.

However, he said the Constitution also allows the office to assist with civil matters where resources permit, including cases involving GBV and family sexual violence.

The office has a dedicated family section with three lawyers assisting people seeking restraining orders and Interim Protection Orders.

“When it comes to moving the ink into practical terms, we can attend as far as our mandate is concerned,” Mr. Mamu said.

He said one of the key challenges is ensuring survivors can obtain protection orders quickly, including those living in rural areas where the Public Solicitor’s Office may not have a physical presence.

The office has therefore expanded its work to train referral partners, including those working along the referral pathway, on how to assist survivors with applications.

Mr. Mamu said this includes training on applications for Interim Protection Orders and forms used to seek permanent restraining orders through the National Court.

He said the approach is particularly important in cases where perpetrators do not comply with protection orders issued by district court magistrates.

Mr. Mamu said a practice direction issued to Public Solicitor lawyers in 2024 allows them to identify serious cases where intervention through the National Court is necessary.

He said the office is also working to ensure referral partners in rural areas can help survivors access the legal process without having to travel to locations where Public Solicitor services are available.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kambanei said implementation of the new National GBV Strategy requires all levels of government and other partners to work together.

She said the strategy, launched by the Prime Minister and a Governor on March 10 this year, is designed to ensure survivors at district level can access services.

The strategy has an annual projected cost of K180 million, with 60 percent expected from government, 30 percent from donors and 10 percent from the private sector, according to Ms. Kambanei.

She said implementation is being linked to provincial planning, with the National GBV Secretariat working with provincial governments to ensure GBV activities are included in their plans and supported through funding.

Ms. Kambanei said 18 provincial governments were brought together last year for combined work planning, while the Secretariat is preparing to work with all 22 provinces.

She said the Secretariat’s national surveys, which involved more than 5,000 people across 13 provinces, also highlighted the importance of strengthening services at the local level.

According to Ms. Kambanei, people surveyed identified churches and health workers as institutions they trusted within their communities, while also saying they were often unsure where to seek GBV services.

She said the strategy has five pillars, covering transformative governance, survivor-centred services, prevention and youth engagement, justice and rehabilitation, and other justice-related measures.

Access to safe houses remains a major concern, with Ms. Kambanei saying there are currently 51 safe houses across 17 provinces, leaving some provinces without such services.

She also highlighted the need for stronger prevention programs, particularly targeting young people and behavioural change.

Ms. Kambanei said the justice system also faces challenges, including low completion rates for GBV cases and gaps in access to free legal services.

She said the Secretariat has proposed a dedicated GBV track within the justice system, similar to existing specialised court tracks, to increase capacity to deal with GBV cases.

For both panelists, moving policy into action means ensuring the systems outlined in national strategies and legislation reach survivors at community level.

That includes legal assistance, protection orders, referral pathways, safe houses, provincial funding, prevention programs and stronger coordination between government, communities, churches, private sector and civil society.

Ms. Kambanei said sustained cooperation across those levels would be necessary to achieve long-term change in GBV outcomes.