UN Women Papua New Guinea remembers human rights defender Naomi Yupae

Author: Jeffrey David Buchanan

Photo: IWDA

With the recent passing of the Papuan New Guinean human rights defender, Naomi Yupae, the country and the Pacific Region has lost one of its most courageous defenders of human rights. Naomi was loved and respected for her tireless work over many decades especially in championing the rights of women and girls. She was one of the founders of the well renowned Goroka-based Eastern Highlands Family Voice and was its Executive Director for many years. Family Voice has been at the front of women’s empowerment and gender equality in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and its strength as a distinguished NGO is due very much to Naomi’s hard work and vision. Her tireless human rights campaigning led to many great achievements including social policy reform and to increased awareness of the devastating situation of gender based violence and how it effects women and girls, men and boys in Papua New Guinea.

Naomi has left a wonderful legacy from her life as a trailblazer in human rights – in so many ways. She was a warm, spirited, loving and courageous woman who had in her mind always the goal of achieving fairness and equality and dignity for all. She achieved so much for her people and for her country.