More than 300 military wives and mothers from across Papua New Guinea have gathered in Port Moresby for the 9th Bi-annual Military Wives Convention for a week-long event aimed at strengthening support systems for Defence Force families and addressing issues affecting life within military communities.
Hosted by the Force Support Battalion (FSB) Military Wives, the convention brings together women from various Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) units to discuss challenges, share experiences and contribute recommendations that could help improve the welfare of military families.
Licensed Officer for the convention, Lieutenant Jasmine Numbuk, said the gathering provides a valuable opportunity for Defence Force dependents to voice concerns and participate in discussions that directly impact their lives.
She said the convention serves as an important platform for understanding the realities faced by families living in barracks and allows Defence Force leadership to gain greater awareness of issues affecting dependents.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in presentations, panel discussions and awareness sessions covering a range of topics including gender-based violence, mental health, family welfare, lifestyle diseases and administrative matters affecting military families.
Lieutenant Numbuk said the planning process involved identifying key concerns within barracks communities and inviting organisations that could contribute to addressing those issues. These include health professionals, welfare agencies and specialists involved in domestic violence prevention and family support services.
She explained that military wives often experience many of the same challenges and are in a unique position to provide practical recommendations on how those issues can be addressed.
As part of the convention, surveys will be conducted among military wives, female soldiers and military couples to gather information from different perspectives. The findings will help ensure recommendations are evidence-based and reflect the needs of the wider military community.
Lieutenant Numbuk said the Defence Force hopes to use the information collected to develop programs and strategies that promote stability within barracks and strengthen support systems for serving members and their families.
She added that military spouses play a critical role in supporting Defence Force personnel and that understanding their experiences is essential to maintaining strong and resilient military communities.
The convention will conclude later this week with delegates presenting recommendations that will be submitted to Defence Force leadership for consideration.
