In an exciting moment for inclusive health and rights in Papua New Guinea, the Key Populations Advocacy Consortium (KPAC), with support from Health Equity Matters, hosted its first-ever Disability Inclusion and Networking Forum on 28 May 2025 in Port Moresby.
The event saw community-led HIV organisations, organisations for people with disabilities, disability advocacy and service delivery groups, and government and development partners come together for the first time in a shared space of connection, collaboration and inclusion.
Forum participants listening to KPAC Chairlady Cathy Ketepa’s opening remarks
Held under the theme Networking, Collaboration, Inclusion and Potential Partnerships, the forum exemplified KPAC’s growing role as a national convener. It also demonstrated the value of bringing together movements that have often worked in parallel, but not in partnership.
KPAC Chairlady Cathy Ketepa (standing) and forum attendees
Opening the forum, Cathy Ketepa, Chairlady of KPAC and a woman with a disability, offered a powerful reflection:
‘The HIV response in PNG is driven by the leadership of our communities. But we must keep asking – who is still being left out?’
Ms Ipul Powesu, a respected disability advocate, added:
‘This forum builds on the foundation laid by Cathy Ketepa and Brenda Lombange. Their leadership is moving our disability movement forward in PNG.’
KPAC CLM Program Team Lead Brenda Lombange
Throughout the morning, presentations revealed strong common ground. Whether working in the HIV sector or the disability space, participants shared concerns around discrimination and stigma, limited access to services and exclusion from policymaking.
Mr Valentine Tangoh from the National AIDS Council Secretariat welcomed KPAC’s leadership:
‘KPAC’s approach shows that disability inclusion is not just a concept – it must be made real through action. Long-term change depends on communities being supported to lead.’
The forum helped forge new relationships, uncover shared priorities and begin a long-overdue conversation. This generated exciting plans for partnership, such as joint advocacy, peer education and inclusive communications.
As KPAC and its membership continue to build bridges between movements, Health Equity Matters is proud to walk alongside them. This partnership supports leadership by and for communities most affected and ensures no one is left behind in the pursuit of health equity across the region.
Lesley Bola, Executive Director of KPAC, closed the session with a call for continued partnership:
‘We are seeing 18 new HIV infections every day in PNG. The solutions must come from the communities most affected – and that includes people with disabilities.’
This was the first time many of us had come together like this – and it won’t be the last.’
KPAC Executive Director Lesley Bola (standing), with members of KPAC’s Board
The forum was delivered through the Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership, which is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Health Equity Matters in collaboration with UNAIDS. Through this partnership, Health Equity Matters is working closely with KPAC to strengthen its leadership, expand its reach and embed gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) more deeply into its work.
