Village Courts are the backbone of justice in communities across Papua New Guinea. With support from the EU-funded Partnership for Good Governance (P4GG) programme, Village Court officials are strengthening their ability to protect families and promote peace. After attending Family Protection Act training, Gabi Diari – a Village Court Chairman in Central Province – is seeing real change in how his community responds to domestic violence.

Across Papua New Guinea, 1,680 Village Court areas and more than 18,000 officials form the foundation of local justice. These courts, established in 1975, are often the first and only point of contact for people seeking fair resolution of disputes, from land conflicts to domestic violence.

In Gaire, a community of around 4,000 people in Central Province, Village Court Chairman Gabi Diari leads a small team that manages cases ranging from family disputes to public disorder. Mediation is a key part of their work, but enforcing court orders – especially in domestic violence cases – has long been a challenge. Survivors often lacked confidence in the system, and officials were unsure of the full extent of their legal powers to protect them.

In February 2024, Gabi joined 23 other Village Court officials for a Family Protection Act (FPA) training supported by Adam Smith International (ASI) through the EU–Papua New Guinea Partnership for Good Governance (P4GG) project. The training was delivered in partnership with the Department of Justice and Attorney General’s (DJAG) Village Courts and Land Mediation Secretariat (VCLMS).

The sessions focused on how Village Court officials can use the Family Protection Act 2013 to respond more effectively to domestic violence. Participants learned how to issue Interim Protection Orders (IPOs) – short-term legal orders that protect survivors from further harm while longer-term protection orders are processed.

For many officials, including Gabi, the training was a turning point. It clarified how the law empowers them to act swiftly to prevent further violence and to ensure perpetrators face clear consequences for breaching orders.

Since the training, Gabi has applied his new understanding to real cases.

These orders are not only protecting survivors but also shifting community perceptions. People now see that the Village Court system can deliver justice and safety for families. Perpetrators are beginning to understand the seriousness of domestic violence – and that it carries real legal consequences.

This change is part of a broader effort under P4GG’s support to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s community justice system, improve gender equality, and ensure that vulnerable groups – including women and persons with disabilities – can access justice fairly.

The Family Protection Act 2013 is designed to create safer, more stable families and reduce domestic violence nationwide. It allows courts to issue Family Protection Orders (FPOs) to prevent further abuse, with serious penalties for breaches.

• Interim Protection Orders (IPOs) last for up to 30 days (extendable by another 30).
• Protection Orders (POs) can last for up to two years.
• Breaching an order is a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment.

By equipping Village Court officials with the knowledge and confidence to use these powers, the training is helping to make communities safer and strengthen trust in the rule of law.

This initiative is part of the EU–Papua New Guinea Partnership for Good Governance (P4GG), implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI) in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG).