Working together to end poverty and injustice

Kup Women for Peace was built on the collective efforts of women activists in Kup to address issues of tribal fights, violence against women and children, and to build peace among the various clans and tribal groups.

Our partner: KUP Women for Peace

• Founding date: 1999
• Headquarters: Kerowagi, Simbu province
• Mission: To promote and protect human rights and advocate sustainable community development activities within Kup LLG [province].

Kup Women for Peace was formed with intention of “Daunim hevi bilong ol Mama” (reducing the sorrow of the mothers) in 2000 following 30 years of chronic tribal violence within the Kup region, a sub-district in the Simbu Province of Central Highlands.

Women leaders from four warring clans put aside tribal allegiances and joined forces to reverse trends of tribal-fighting and associated gender-violence.

Objectives

• The group aims to promote peace and protect women's human rights and to advocate against violence committed on women by individuals, tribal groups, and the state.
• Protect women’s rights and increase women’s role in decision making.
• Increase public understanding on the dangers of tribal fights, and all forms of violence against women and children, through awareness and education, drama and songs, and conflict resolution training.
• Create a conducive environment for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by advocating legal and policy reform.
• Promote sustainable livelihoods: Assist in the introduction and provision of grassroots appropriate technology to encourage self-reliance and rural employment. 

The Kup Women have had remarkable success both in stopping tribal fighting in the Kup region and in promoting peaceful development. They put an end to tribal fighting by travelling into enemy villages and holding meetings with men from enemy tribes were they shared their stories of suffering and tears. Their accounts convinced men to lay down their arms in exchange for self-led peaceful development.

There is now increased freedom of movement, the fast resolution of interpersonal and tribal conflicts, the return of government services (including police and nurses) and the promotion of a sense of self-help and civic pride among post-conflict communities.

Kup Women for Peace today

After years of activism and activity aimed at raising community’s awareness about the negative effectives of tribal fights and the benefits of Peace, Kup Women for Peace is now focusing on decreasing the high rates of gender violence in Kup, together with providing high-risk groups (especially youth) with productive alternatives to crime, such as agriculture projects.

• Find out more about KWP from this UN OHCHR profile
• Gender justice in Papua New Guinea
• More partners on the ground in Papua New Guinea