UN RESPONSES
200913
UN Bougainville Response to the Reaction of the Joint ABG-NSO-UN Study
Let me take this opportunity to first extend our sincere regrets for recent media reporting of the joint study. We knew that together we, the UN and ABG, were mutually engaging in a very sensitive exercise that would take a time to not only address, but gain consensus on the current situation acknowledged facing women in Bougainville and on the best way forward to address it . However, there are a few issues that I would like to correct and clarify;
First the study was done after long consultation with the Government and civil societies in Bougainville. This culminated into an MOU signed between the ABG and UN for the latter to sponsor and coordinate the study. A Working Group was then established comprising all the local actors and coordinated by Community Development at Bougainville level. The study was then conducted in the field by the National Statistics Office of PNG with the technical guidance of the South African health Research Institute, Partners for Prevention(a group of UN Agencies on study of gender and Violence). The UN office in Bougainville provided the assistance on the ground for the conduct of the study. This study was very technical and complied with all international ethical standards. That said , this is a Government-driven Report with UN assistance.
The second issue is the lack of clarity over two different Reports. The Bougainville study was conducted as part of a six country study of Pacific and Asian countries (China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia). This multi-country study report was finalized earlier than the Bougainville study . The study in Bougainville was conducted in two phases; a qualitative data collection , and then the quantitative survey. The report which caught the media is the multi-country report which contains part of the Bougainville quantitative data. This report was shared locally with the administration for information purposes while we still awaited for the draft of the Bougainville report which was still being finalized by the consultants.
The issue of the multi-country report capturing the Bougainville data ahead of our consultations locally on the Bougainville specific report is being addressed and the concerns expressed by the President and other Bougainvilleans are acknowledged. The teams of researchers will be in Bougainville for a consultations with the ABG and all stakeholders on the findings, recommendations and next steps so that we can mutually take responsibility to carry the recommendations forward and contribute to a prosperous Bougainville for all, a Bougainville where all men and women live a life that is peaceful, secure and free from all forms of violence. In fact, the UN commends the ABG in having relied upon initial study findings in the drafting of its Gender Policy and the Women, Peace and Security Action Plan. The UN stands by its commitments to support interventions flowing from the implementation of this policy and the other findings.
I would like to take this opportunity again to caution not only the media but all stakeholders to exercise due diligence and responsibility in their reporting on and discussion of such issues. Bougainville is a post-conflict environment and our common efforts need to be geared to build social cohesion and confidence to address social and development issues. If we do not handle information well, we derail the enormous progress we are collaboratively making in the region.
The UN office in Buka, the Policy advisory of the ABG and the Working Group of the Study, or the NSO are all available for any further details, clarifications and suggestions.
ENDS
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