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Impact stories

Building community resilience in PNG

There are 225 million women and girls in developing countries globally with an unmet need for modern contraception.

If women are facing depleting resources, or community upheaval, access to contraception allows them to guard against unintended pregnancy.

Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) NGO MSI Asia Pacific and its partner organisations support women, girls and families across Asia Pacific to access essential sexual and reproductive healthcare.

MSI's outreach teams travel by plane, boat and four-wheel drive to reach isolated communities, many of which would not otherwise have access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Jenny has worked as an outreach coordinator with MSI Papua New Guinea since 2014.

“Women are very different before and after family planning. They are healthier, have more money for school fees and food,” she said.

“What's different about MSI is that most health workers don't go to remote areas. The maternal mortality rate is very high in PNG, but once women can access family planning, it drops.”

When women have access to contraception, they have the power to determine the path their life takes and are more able to take on decision-making roles.

Through the ANCP partnership, MSI Asia Pacific continues to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare and services to vulnerable communities throughout Asia Pacific.

 

Jenny is an outreach co-ordinator in the Eastern Highlands region of PNG.
Jenny is an outreach co-ordinator in the Eastern Highlands region of PNG. Credit: Tom Greenwood
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