Gender-based violence (GBV) is indeed a significant issue in Papua New Guinea (PNG) that has wide-ranging economic implications. The high prevalence of GBV affects businesses and the economy in several ways, including increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and reduced workforce participation.
Economic Impacts of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
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Healthcare Costs: Survivors of GBV often require medical attention, leading to increased healthcare costs for businesses that provide health insurance. Organizations may face higher premiums due to the prevalence of GBV among their employees.
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Workforce Productivity: Employees who are victims of violence or who are affected by it within their communities may experience decreased productivity. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), GBV can lead to absenteeism, reduced efficiency, and high turnover rates, which ultimately impacts business performance (WHO, 2013).
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Workplace Environment: A culture that tolerates GBV can create an unsafe and hostile work environment, leading to lower employee morale and higher attrition rates. Unsafe work environments deter investment and can lead to reputational damage for businesses.
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Income and Economic Growth: The economic costs of GBV in PNG are significant. A study by the Australian Aid program estimated that the economic cost of violence against women in PNG could be as high as 2.3% of the country’s GDP (Australian Aid, 2013). This represents a substantial loss of potential economic growth and productivity that affects all sectors.
References
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World Health Organization (WHO). (2013). "Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence." Retrieved from WHO Website.
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Australian Aid. (2013). "The Economic Costs of Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea." Retrieved from Australian Aid Document.
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United Nations. (2017). "Papua New Guinea: The Cost of Gender-Based Violence." Retrieved from UN Document.
Remember to check the references for any updates or more recent data, as discussions and analyses around GBV in PNG continue to evolve.