Journal Article

'We Are So Happy EPF Came': Transformations of Gender in Port Moresby Schools

Macintyre, Martha, Spark, Ceridwen

2022

Overview

Focuses on the organisation Equal Playing Field (EPF), which introduces students in Port Moresby schools to concepts of gender equity as a means of dispelling fundamental notions of gender status in Papua New Guinea that perpetuate the ‘extremely high incidence’ of violence against women and girls. Backgrounds the founding of EPF in 2012 and its change of emphasis and name in 2014 to Equal Playing Field for Schools (EPF4S). Informs that the programme was evaluated in 2016-2017 by a small team including Ceridwen Spark and cites interviews and results of focus group discussions with students, staff and volunteers. Emphasises some of the risks and challenges resulting when EPF ideas are introduced to students ‘in an environment that is not equipped to support their actualization’. Presents findings from students and teachers from one school considered the most challenging, noting that students were open to new ideas but there were no institutions to provide them with material support. Explores the perspective of an EPF team member who attempted to support a student who had reported abuse. Notes the positive effects of providing students with information about gender equity and respect. Contends that despite challenges, the ideas introduced in the EPF4S programme have resonated with students and teachers and that ‘the potential long-term benefits outweigh the risks and challenges. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.

• Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press,University of Hawaii Press
• Subject: Discounting / Donors / Education / Educational aspects / Equality / Fairness / Focus groups / Gender / Gender differences / Gender equality / Gender equity / Gender inequality / Gender-based violence / Human rights / Human rights advocacy / Inappropriateness / NGOs / Noncitizens / Nongovernmental organizations / Poor / Poor children / Prevention / Public schools / Rugby / School environment / Schools / Scrutiny / Services for / Sex discrimination / Sex discrimination against women / Sexism / Social aspects / Social change / Social conditions / Sociological aspects / Students / Study and teaching / Support services / Teachers / Urbanism / Violence / Violence against / Volunteers / Women