We Support: Grass Skirt Project
Gender inequality is a huge issue throughout Papua New Guinea where women and girls experience some of the world’s highest rates of violence outside of a conflict zone with PNG ranking 161st on the UN Gender Inequality Index and 135th on the Global Gender Gap Index. Human Rights Watch (2021) reported that a woman is beaten every 30 seconds in PNG and more than 1.5 million people experience gender-based violence in the country each year; 75% of children experience violence at home.
The Grass Skirt Project commenced in 2016, with the core promotion of gender equality, elimination of gender-based violence, empowerment of women and girls and the building of stronger, more resilient communities around and through participation in sport.
The Sir Brian Bell Foundation has been a Key Delivery Partner to many of the Grass Skirt Projects initiatives over several years through the Hevea Cup, National Art Prize, 10 Million Strong Pilot Program and Gym in a Box. Over the last few years our support to Grass Skirt Project has enabled:
- Over 9,000+ people to access community health, education, and resources through sports.
- 8.5k views of public messaging on EMTV live broadcast of the Hevea Cup in 2023.
- 447 participants completed our public health survey, providing baseline data for GSP on gender perceptions, health & wellbeing, and leadership attitudes towards advancing gender justice.
Our support has also enabled Grass Skirt Program to create:
- Design evidence-based programs.
- Community-centric approach.
- Enhance leadership development.
- Integrate health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Implement gender equality projects.
- Strengthen their monitoring and evaluation framework.
