Kundiawa, Simbu Province – 20 June 2025 – In a landmark partnership aimed at building safer and more resilient communities, the Melanesian Institute (MI) and The Voice Inc. (TVI) have joined forces to implement a transformative social change program in the Diocese of Kundiawa, Simbu Province.
The initiative, launched this week, brings together church leaders, community champions, and civil society actors with the shared goal of addressing some of Papua New Guinea’s most pressing social issues—sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), gender-based violence (GBV), and the rise of substance abuse, particularly among youth.
Empowering the Frontlines of Change
The program, grounded in faith-based and community-centred approaches, seeks to empower clergy, catechists, youth leaders, and village elders with practical tools, theological reflection, and social education. The goal is to enable these local leaders to challenge harmful beliefs and behaviours, mediate conflict, and build inclusive spaces that promote human dignity and peace.
Holistic Community Response to Sorcery and Gender Violence
The collaborative effort comes at a critical time for Simbu Province, which has seen a resurgence in sorcery-related violence—a phenomenon driven by misinformation, fear, and social breakdown. Women, in particular, are often the primary victims of such violence, frequently accused and attacked in the aftermath of unexplained deaths or misfortunes in the community.
At the same time, gender-based violence remains a widespread concern across PNG, with women and girls at high risk in both public and private spaces.
The project also aims to address the growing prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among unemployed youth, which has been linked to rising crime rates, domestic violence, and mental health challenges.
The Voice Inc.: Youth as Agents of Transformation
As a leading youth development organisation in PNG, The Voice Inc. brings to the partnership its rich experience in youth leadership training, civic empowerment, and values-based education.
TVI’s involvement in the initiative will include youth forums, school outreach, storytelling workshops, and the development of local advocacy campaigns that aim to challenge cultural norms that perpetuate violence.
A Model for Replication
The Diocese of Kundiawa has welcomed the initiative, calling it a timely and necessary intervention to rebuild peace, justice, and harmony in communities still reeling from violence and disconnection.
If successful, the MI-TVI partnership could become a replicable model for other dioceses and provinces across PNG, especially in areas where state services are limited and social cohesion is under threat.
Transforming Pain into Hope
The Melanesian Institute and The Voice Inc. say their long-term goal is to support grassroots-led social transformation—empowering communities to not only reject violence but to proactively create environments where every person, especially women and children, can live in safety and dignity.
This joint initiative is expected to run in phases throughout 2025, with further support being sought from development partners, churches, and local government stakeholders.
As PNG approaches its 50th year of independence, initiatives like this mark an important step in confronting societal challenges with unity, compassion, and collective responsibility.