On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience of Bougainville’s women 7 Mar 25

On International Women Day, we’re proud to highlight the impact of the  Bougainville Healthy Communities Programme (BHCP). For over 20 years, the partnership between the Leprosy Mission New Zealand and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade has helped improve maternal health, reduce gender-based violence, and empower women as leaders in Bougainville.

Bougainville has some of the highest levels of gender-based violence and maternal mortality in the Asia-Pacific region. During the civil war, which ended in 1998, there were no government health services and women gave birth without medical assistance. Through the work of BHCP, the proportion of supervised deliveries has increased to nearly 100 percent in Bana, Buin, Selu Suir, and Siwai, ensuring that mothers and babies receive the care they need. BHCP also works to combat gender-based violence by engaging men and community leaders to shift cultural attitudes and create safer, healthier communities for women.

Thanks to the continued partnership between MFAT and LMNZ, BHCP continues to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in Bougainville.

The programme also addresses the needs of women affected by leprosy, who go underdiagnosed due to the stigma of the disease and lack of access to healthcare.

This International Women’s Day, we honour the resilience of Bougainville’s women and the ongoing work of BHCP to create a more equitable future for women and girls. 

Read more at leprosymission.org.nz/BHCP