The Social Protection and Safety Net function within DFCDR focuses on protecting vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and families from poverty, violence, neglect, and social exclusion. It is a core pillar of the department’s mandate to promote inclusive and sustainable community development across Papua New Guinea.
Purposes of Social Protection
The main objectives are to:
- · Reduce poverty and vulnerability
- · Support families in crisis
- · Protect women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities
- · Strengthen community resilience
- · Provide safety nets during emergencies or hardship
- Key Program Areas
- 1 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Family Support
- Ø Support for Family and Sexual Violence Units (FSVU)
- Ø Case management and referral services
- Ø Safe house coordination
- Ø Awareness and prevention programs
- 2 Child Protection Services
- Ø Protection of children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Ø Foster care and family strengthening initiatives
- Ø Implementation of child welfare policies
- 3 Disability & Elderly Support
- Ø Advocacy for disability-inclusive policies
- Ø Support to Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs)
- Ø Community-based rehabilitation programs
- 4 Community-Based Social Safety Nets
- Ø Assistance programs for vulnerable households
- Ø Partnerships with churches and civil society organizations
- Ø Emergency response coordination during disasters
- 5 Policy & Regulatory Framework
- Ø Development of national social protection policies
- Ø Monitoring and Evaluation (MER) systems to track program impact
- Establishment of standards for service delivery
