MSI and NZ: Partnering in the Pacific

Supported by the Government of New Zealand, MSI is working in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste to prevent unintended pregnancies and support people in both countries to achieve their desired family size.

The Pacific region experiences some of the highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence in the world, along with high rates of maternal mortality and low access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). With generous support from the New Zealand government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we are scaling up our access to life-changing SRHR and providing referral pathways for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

This activity is part of the New Zealand government’s five-year multi-country investment aimed at supporting improved health outcomes through Pacific peoples’ full realisation of their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights. The investment will help meet and maintain the essentials of family planning service delivery, family planning commodity supply and counselling/education, the prevention of unintended pregnancies and the provision of support to people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste to achieve their desired family size.

The program

MSI’s partnership with MFAT is focussed on scaling up access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for people in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, through service delivery, advocacy and awareness-raising activities.

Program results

High-quality SRH services are provided through established service delivery channels.
Sexual and gender-based violence referral pathways are strengthened for survivors in new geographic areas.
Health facilities where SRH services are available are mapped in partnership with government. 
Communities receive high-quality information on SRHR through awareness-raising and demand generation activities.     
Advocacy to engage government, development partners and civil society is conducted to ensure SRH rights are protected.