Joining forces in PNG - COMPASS Project

Papua New Guinea's (PNG) sexual and reproductive health, population and development challenges are among the highest in the Pacific.

Responding to these challenges, Family Planning International launched a project in 2008.  The project focuses on working with men to achieve sexual and reproductive well-being for themselves, their partners, and communities.

The project is named COMPASS, which stands for Clinical Outreach, Men’s Program, Advocacy and Sexual Health Service Strengthening. It is funded for five-years by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Family Planning International is working in partnership with Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia and the Canberra Sexual Health Service on the project.

In Papua New Guinea, our key partners are the PNG Family Health Association, Help Resources, and the PNG Provincial Department of Health.

Family Planning International supports male project officers to work with men in their communities.

The aim is to educate and encourage men to take responsibility for their own sexual and reproductive health, as well as to be better partners in intimate relationships.

This is in recognition of the key role that men play in contributing to the empowerment of women, and the improvement of sexual and reproductive health for all.

The challenge is immense - over one in every 100 people are living with HIV. It is estimated that over 60,000 people in the country are living with HIV.

The project's approach is to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by reducing the prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). When an individual has an STI that is not HIV, their chance of contracting or passing on HIV can be elevated. The project will work towards its goal through the provision of integrated sexual health services.